WHY DO CATS SCRATCH?

WRITTEN BY XENA

Cats are territorial animals and they mark their territory by scratching, at the same time emitting odors, which also means that the place is theirs. Scratching is instinctive and will not disappear with the fact that the cat lives in a house or apartment, and not outdoors. Therefore, your pet’s favorite scratching object will probably be your furniture. And not just any. Cats love furniture made of plush, tweed, wool, linen, or silk because they can extract fibers from such materials. And besides, such materials are difficult to clean cat hair. Because of that, it is best to choose materials made of microfiber, or even shiny leather. But, as the cat's temper is different, the best solution is to provide your furry pets with scratchers.

Go Pet Club 62-Inch Cat Tree

Go Pet Club 62-Inch Cat Tree

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The scratcher should initially be placed in the place where the cat was already scratching. Later, gradually, the scraper can be moved from one end of the room to the other, or you can get more scrapers.

Amazon Basics Cat Condo Tree Tower with Hammock Bed and Scratching Post

Amazon Basics Cat Condo Tree Tower with Hammock Bed and Scratching Post

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The scratcher must be strong enough, stable, and high, otherwise, the cat will not want to use it. To encourage her to use it, put her favorite toy on the scratcher, play with your cat next to the scratcher, feed her next to the scratcher, and for each use of the scratcher, reward her with her favorite treat. If your pet continues to "sharpen its claws" on your furniture even with a scraper in the house, protect those parts with aluminum foil or double-sided tape.

Anti-scratch Cat Tape for Furniture - Stop Cat from Scratching Couch,Corners of Chair,Door Frame, Counter Tops and Carpet - Clear Double Sided Tape for Cat Scratching Cat Training Tape 2.5" x 16 Yard

Anti-scratch Cat Tape for Furniture - Stop Cat from Scratching Couch,Corners of Chair,Door Frame, Counter Tops and Carpet - Clear Double Sided Tape for Cat Scratching Cat Training Tape 2.5" x 16 Yard

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Keep in mind that, in addition to the claws, the cat also left its scent on a piece of furniture she was scratching. To prevent it from happening again, you need to remove its odor as well, as otherwise it will come back to that part over and over again and scratch it. There are various neutralizing agents to neutralize odors and deter cats, but also those that serve to attract cats to the desired place (scratcher). If the cat is persistent and returns to the "crime scene" again, simply spray it with water or chase it away with a loud whistle to make the cat uncomfortable with the place where it wants to scratch because the cat never does anything that makes it uncomfortable.

QUTOP Cat Scratch Deterrent Training Spray, Cat Repellent Spray for Indoor and Outdoor Use - 175ml

QUTOP Cat Scratch Deterrent Training Spray, Cat Repellent Spray for Indoor and Outdoor Use - 175ml

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                                   "We take care of our pets as for ourselves."

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TOP 5 MOST EXPENSIVE CATS IN THE WORLD

WRITTEN BY XENA

I recently wrote about the most expensive cat in the world. And now I bring you the TOP 5 for which you will have to set aside a really small fortune if you want to have them and show your status symbol and prestige.

 1. ASHERA CAT ($ 125,000)

   

It is the most expensive cat in the world. Not only is its selling price high, but you will also need to have a hefty wallet to feed it for over 2 decades. The most expensive are those with patterns like the snow leopard (a dizzying $ 125,000), the rest are sold for as little as $ 22,000, and the average price of this breed of cat is $ 28,000. The ASHERA is not a purebred breed, because it was created by crossing: AN AFRICAN SERVAL (like a SAVANNAH cat), an ASIAN LEOPARD (like a BENGAL cat), and a DOMESTIC DOMESTIC CAT. It is the rarest and newest breed of DOMESTIC CATS. It is a tall, graceful cat with large, pointed ears, weighing about 30 lbs, adorned with fur with leopard spots and tiger stripes. The lifespan of this beauty is about 25 years. ASHERA is a cat that loves to climb,  it is friendly, loves children, and it is possible to train her. It likes to stay on a heated blanket during the colder days of the year. If you definitely want to show your status symbol by buying this beauty, keep in mind that you will have to "stand in line" for at least 9 months. So whoever loves, let him, love!

 2. BENGAL CAT ($ 42,000)

    

It originated in the 1950s in the USA by crossing an ASIAN LEOPARD CAT (Prionailurus bengalensis) and a DOMESTIC CAT, especially the spotted EGYPTIAN MAU for the purpose of researching feline leukemia. In, physical appearance, the BENGAL CAT is similar to the ASIAN LEOPARD cat, and in character, the DOMESTIC CAT. She is muscular, of an athletic build, of medium size, smaller head, wide, wedge-shaped, rounded, small ears, wide at the base. Her eyes are very wide apart, oval or light almond-shaped with a slight slant. She has muscular legs of medium length with round and large paws, with the hind legs being longer than the front ones. The tail is thick, of medium length, tapering and rounding at the tip. The exotic appearance of this breed is especially contributed by a long, strong, and muscular body and fur that is short to semi-long, shiny and dense, soft to the touch with dotted patterns in the form of a rosette or marbled (marbelle) patterns. The character of this beautiful cat says that it is a very active, agile, energetic, playful, smart, confident, and curious cat. Most Bengalis enjoy playing, chasing, climbing, and exploring. These are rare cats that love water and enjoy playing in the water. In general, Bengalis enjoy the action. They are a sociable breed, and it is very important that they socialize from an early age.

3. SAVANNAH CAT ($ 22,000)

    

The cat breed SAVANNAH was created by crossing the AFRICAN SERVAL - an African wild cat and a domestic cat. It is a relatively new breed of cat, recognized by the International Cat Association (TICA) in 2012, although it originated much earlier - back in 1986. The SAVANNAH cat is recognizable by its large, pointed ears and golden, silver, or black smoke-colored fur, covered with dotted patterns. Black SAVANNAHS are monochromatic with possible pale spots visible beneath the black. SAVANNAH is a spotted cat, and spots can be: oval, round, or elongated dark brown to black. It has an elongated body with long legs and is almost the same size as any other large domestic cat. Unusual physical features such as a long neck, small, elongated head, darkened eyes, and short, thick tail with black rings also give this breed an exotic look. The eyes have a boomerang shape — brown, gold, or green (except in kittens — whose eyes are blue) color. SAVANNAH is a short-haired cat, and its fur is easy and simple to nurture by weekly combing and brushing, and if necessary, nails can be cut and ears cleaned. SAVANNAH is a confident and active cat, very intelligent and curious, and is always looking for something interesting and adventurous. Like a dog, it can learn to walk on a leash or bring toys. She is very attached to her family and gets along better with people who are willing to play with her. Otherwise, it can become destructive. So give her plenty of play and lots of solid toys. She enjoys interacting with people, children, and other cats, but also friendly affectionate dogs. If you are attracted to cats with a slightly wild character, then SAVANNAH is the right choice for you.

4. SPHYNX CAT ($ 3,000)  

  

Cultivation of this breed in its present form began in Canada in 1966 when a domestic cat gave birth to hairless kittens by a spontaneous genetic mutation. The new breed was named MOONSTONE CAT (CAT OF THE MOONSTONE) and then CANADIAN HAIRLESS. Further crossbreeding creates a new breed called SPHYNX. This breed is recognizable by the fact that it is hairless, ie it has no fur, but it has a layer of fine undercoat. In SPHYNX cats, the lack of a mustache is quite common, and the skin around the muzzle, on the shoulders, and ears, can be wrinkled. The skin is sensitive to the sun, so before sun exposure, it is necessary to apply sunscreen with a high protection factor, because otherwise, burns can occur. Also, they need to be wiped frequently and regularly with damp wipes or some other damp cloth so as not to leave sweat stains on the furniture. Due to their sensitivity to heat and cold, it is best to keep them indoors. It is also necessary to clean their ears often, as they are prone to the accumulation of mucus and dirt. As they do not have fur, it should be borne in mind that these cats can often be cold. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SPHYNX cats are: muscular and round body with strong chest, elongated head with high cheekbones and accentuated chin, very large ears wide at the base, large and slightly slanted eyes, tail like a whip, narrowed towards the top where their is sometimes a tufted hair. The legs are of medium length with oval paws and long, slender toes, and the hind legs are longer than the forelegs. By the way, the SPHYNX CAT is: intelligent, curious and playful, talkative and loud, and very attached to its owner. They get along well with children, dogs, and other cats (preferably with other Sphynx cats). They are not recommended for people who are allergic to cat hair, because, although they do not have fur, they are not anti-allergic.

5. PETERBALD CAT ($ 3,000)

   

This breed is native to Russia-St. Petersburg. It was created in 1994 by an experimental crossing of the SPHYNKS  cat and the ORIENTAL SHORT-HAIRED breed with the hair loss gene. The breed is fast becoming popular throughout St. Petersburg, so this results in the name PETERBALD. There are several variations of her fur: completely hairless, fur-like peach skin, fur-like velvet, as well as their different variants that can change over time. The fur that a cat acquires at birth can change during the first two years of life (with a tendency to lose or gain hair). The characteristics of this breed are, in addition to the above: long and narrow head with a flat profile, large, separated ears, almond-shaped eyes (eye color depends on the color of the fur), wedge-shaped snout, long and strong tail-like a whip, oval paws of medium size connected toes. It is this feature that allows them to open doors and hold on to various objects. Their hind legs are a little longer than their forelegs. The PETERBALD cat is distinct: energetic, smart, and curious, but also affectionate, peaceful, and gentle personality. She is very attached to her owner and will follow in his footsteps wherever he goes, crawl into his bed, or sit on his lap. They are very talkative and get along well with other pets. As they do not have fur, they need to be bathed regularly. This breed does not belong to HYPOALLERGY and is recommended for people prone to allergies.

 If you are wondering which of these MOST EXPENSIVE BREEDS of cats is also the MOST AGGRESSIVE? There are no rules. It is true that some cats are a little harder to tame than others (SAVANNAH, BENGAL, AFRICAN SERVAL, SPHYNX). But they are neither lions, nor jaguars, nor tigers, and they need discipline, proper care, attention, and affection. And with the right education, you can turn a tiger into your "hairy friend".

I'll be writing about MOST AGGRESSIVE CATS in the next sequel of my BLOG about cats and dogs. In the meantime, for more information about cats and dogs, visit my YOUTUBE CHANNEL at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLBiSeK99poMzDuuyvzDUXg

"We take care of our pets as for ourselves."

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VERY SMALL DOGS (up to 4 kg )

WRITTEN BY XENA

VERY SMALL DOGS are one of a total of 5 groups that make up BREEDS OF DOGS. This group consists of all dogs up to 4 kg. 

1.  1. (AUSTRALIAN) SILKY TERRIER
2. BOLOGNESE
3. CHIHUAHUA
4. ENGLISH TOY TERRIER
5. JAPANESE CHIN
6. YORKSHIRE TERRIER
7. CHINESE CRESTED DOG
8. PETIT BRABANCON
9. MALTESE DOG
10. CONTINENTAL TOY SPANIEL
11. POMERANIAN
12. RUSSIAN TOY TERRIER

ENJOY THE VIDEO !!!

              "We take care of our pets as for ourselves."

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LARGE DOGS PART IV

WRITTEN BY XENA

Today I am going to talk about LARGE BREEDS and that story will go on in series, as it is a very large group of, as many as 88 dog breeds. This video is of an educational character dedicated to LARGE DOGS and it is the last video of the LARGE DOGS serial. In this video, I will be talking about LARGE DOGS and I will present all the DOGS and their pictures. After this, I will present to you the SMALL DOGS group of videos. I hope that you will enjoy my presentation.

68. SLOVAK CUVAC

69. SPANISH GREYHOUND

70. SPANISH POINTER

71. OLD DANISH POINTER

72. OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG

73. SWEDISH ELKHOUND

74. WHITE SWISS SHEPHERD DOG

75. BRACCO ITALIANO

76. SPINONE ITALIANO (ITALIAN SPINONE DOG)

77. URUGUAYAN CIMARRON

78. WEIMARANER

79. GREAT ANGLO-FRANCAIS WHITE AND BLACK HOUND

80. GREAT ANGLO-FRANCAIS WHITE AND ORANGE HOUND

81. GREAT ANGLO-FRANCAIS TRICOLOR HOUND

82. LARGE MUNSTERLANDER

83. GRAND BLEU DE GASCOGNE

84. GIANT SCHNAUZER

85. GREATER SWISS MOUNTAIN DOG

86. GRAND GRIFFON VENDEEN

87. OTTERHOUND

88. GOLDEN RETRIEVER

"We take care of our pets as for ourselves."

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CATS THOSE WONDERFUL, MYSTIC CREATURES

                                                                                WRITTEN BY XENA

CATS- these beautiful, mysterious, and cunning creatures, have long been a part of our lives, members of our households, and our families. Keeping CATS as PETS dates back to the distant past, long before Christ. As we know, even the ancient Egyptians had CATS for pets 5000 years ago. Moreover, they gave them divine meaning and power (see ANCIENT EGYPTIAN CATS AND MYTHOLOGY). There are records that the relationship between a CAT and a man dates back to the Stone Age. Either way, we can conclude that the relationship between man and CAT is as old as civilization itself. Besides, ancient Egyptian civilizations and other cultures and peoples worshiped CATS. The Japanese considered the CAT a messenger of peace and a symbol of happiness. Hindus also adored CATS and were expected to take care of at least one CAT during their lifetime. Even the Prophet Muhammad, according to legend, was especially fond of CATS. He reportedly cut off his sleeve on which his PET-CAT Muezza slept, so as not to wake her. And some cultures (present-day Thailand and Myanmar) believed that CATS guarded the souls of specially chosen people.

However, history has not always caressed these wonderful creatures.

Thus, for example, in the Middle Ages some religions, including the Christian one, persecuted and killed CATS. Even during the Renaissance, they were burned at the stake because they were associated with witches and evil forces. It was a "dark age" for CATS. But over time (early 17th century) such worldviews were abandoned, as CATS proved to be indispensable in the fight against rodents, which transmitted the plague, and which ravaged Europe. Thus, CATS became an important factor in human life and part of the living community, and at the end of the 19th century, the first CAT exhibitions were opened. CATS make us happy and relaxed, but sometimes they also make us sad. They give us the harmony of life, and "time spent with CATS is never wasted" - Sigmund Freud would say.

Then why do most people resort to DOGS as PETS? The answer to that question, I don’t know, but I can give you good reasons why you’ll want to have a CAT.

Their relaxing SPINNING will also affect the relaxation of your body, which will reduce your blood pressure, and thus the possibility of a heart attack. So, CATS will reduce your stress with their gentle SPINNING. Contrary to the opinion, that CATS does not attach to humans and are solitary, a Mexican study that showed that they are more relaxed and willing to explore the environment when their owners are in the room. CATS are sociable by nature and express strong social interactions with other ANIMALS and even some DOGS, although there are loners among them as well. However, CATS are individualists, and it is difficult to impose anything on them. They are the ones who decide where and with whom they will spend their time. CATS are curious and active. They enjoy the game, especially with a ball of wool and toys that resemble their prey (stuffed mice or toys with feathers), because they learn to hunt by playing.

CATS can be said to be intelligent creatures because they have a great ability to remember and learn. This is evidenced by the fact that they quickly discover how to get people to do exactly what they want - for example, they respond to their name when it's time for a meal. The memory serves them some useful information, such as the most comfortable place to sleep, favorite food or toy, and the place where their water bowl or their toilet is located.

CATS that live outdoors know the boundaries of their territory well, they remember the CATS that live there, as well as dangerous DOGS. They can easily “solve” problems by associative memory in a way that compares the new problem to the one already experienced. CATS are nocturnal hunters, and their hyperactivity comes to the fore before evening, and they gather the necessary strength during sleep. On average, they sleep 13-14 hours. They are extremely tidy and maintain their own hygiene by licking their fur. Later, they expel the accumulated balls of hair by vomiting, which is preceded by chewing the grass. CATS are very affectionate animals. They like to cuddle with their owner, but only and only when they decide to. They are real sweets, so the very sight of these shaggy balls will fill your heart with love and warmth. They have a very good sense of time. So they can be a great wake-up alarm and will keep bothering you until you get up on time.

The best reason to keep a CAT as a PET is that it does not require much care. Namely, as they are very independent, they only need a little of your attention in the form of a daily dose of cuddling and playing, and providing basic living needs to be happy. They will also fill you with happiness.

Maybe by reading this text, you are one step closer to getting your CAT. If so, then my advice is, “ADOPT, DO NOT BUY!” This will make you do a good deed and you will be more spiritually fulfilled, and that is then a good prerequisite for healthy living in general.

   "We take care of our pets as for ourselves."

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WHAT ARE THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ALASKAN MALAMUTE AND SAMOYED DOG?

WRITTEN BY XENA

The ALASKAN MALAMUTE is considered one of the oldest draft dog breeds. The ALASKAN MALAMUTE is thought to have originated from dogs, which as far back as 2000 years ago followed the migration of tribes from SIBERIA to ALASKA.

It was named after a native INNUIT tribe who called themselves MAHLEMUT and inhabited the highlands of western ALASKA. The MALAMUTE has a thick and coarse and dense outer coat with a greasy and woolly undercoat. The colors range from black and white (wolf) with a lighter belly and a lighter mask, to completely white and completely black, but there are also combinations of reddish-brown and beige with white.

The MALAMUTE is corpulent. This is proved by its weight - from 34.5-38 kilograms. Otherwise, it is a very intelligent, affectionate, loyal, hardy, and very cuddly dog ​​with a pronounced urge to hunt. He quickly bonds with the owner and his family.

The original name SAMOYED SABAKA originates from WESTERN SIBERIA (Russia) and was named after the SIBERIAN nomadic SAMOYED tribe. It belongs to working dogs, groups of SPITZ of primitive type (pra type). Due to its characteristic facial expression, it is also called SMILING SAMMY. It is a breed of long white, cream, or white with biscuit color markings. The eyes are almond-shaped and the tail is ornate. Their weight ranges from 17-25 kg for females and 20-32.5 kg for males.

It is an extremely “talkative” breed of dog prone to excessive barking but also howling — indicating their close kinship with WOLVES. They are very friendly and sociable dogs, connected to people.

   "We take care of our pets as for ourselves."

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WHERE DID SIBERIAN HUSKY COME FROM?

 WRITTEN BY XENA

The SIBERIAN HUSKY breed was first mentioned by the CHUKCHI people, who are an autochthonous people inhabiting the CHUKCHI Peninsula, the shores of the CHUKCHI and BERING SEAS, and the Arctic Ocean within the former USSR (Siberia).

The CHUKCHI selected the best dogs to get a fast, strong, hardy dog with good orientation, and this is the story of the origin of the SIBERIAN HUSKY breed.

By the way, it is a medium-sized working dog

(males 20-27 kg, females 16-23 kg) from the SPITZ family. The color of the fur ranges from gray-white, black-and-white, to red-and-white. The characteristics of this breed are blue eyes. Although there are some with brown eyes, the real curiosity is BI-COLOR EYES, ie different eye colors, and even the eye can be interspersed with blue and brown shades.

In the early 20th century, the HUSKY was transferred from SIBERIA to ALASKA, where it was used to pull sleds. The race soon spread to the rest of the United States and CANADA, and in the 1950s they reached EUROPE as well.

                               "We take care of our pets as for ourselves."

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TOP 10 BREEDS OF CATS IDEAL FOR COEXISTENCE WITH DOGS

WRITTEN BY XENA

I recently shared with you my personal story of a lifelong unbreakable friendship between a cat and a dog. That dogs and cats do not have to be "sworn enemies" is also shown by the fact that some breeds of cats get along very well with dogs. I will now address this in particular in this post. So, I’m going to talk about cat breeds that get along very well with dogs. If you are a lover of both and would like to have them in your home, it would be a good idea to check out cat breeds that are ideal for coexistence with dogs. So I will make it easy for you and list 10 of them.

1. BURMESE CAT

It is characterized by a strong connection with family members of all ages and a great attachment to the owner, playfulness, and intelligence. In fact, she is more intelligent than other breeds of cats. She is also the sweetest of all cat breeds. She is an excellent pet and behaves a bit like a dog. She is very talkative, but also a little mysterious. She will also show her friendliness towards dogs. So it is no wonder that this beautiful cat with shiny hair and yellow eyes is number one when it comes to living with dogs.

2. TURKISH ANGORA CAT

This oriental long-haired beauty originates from the area of ​​present-day Iran and Turkey. It is a very smart and loyal cat, but also determined and stubborn. It is strongly connected with only one person - it would be said: "She chooses the owner". She is sociable, gets along well with other animals, including dogs, and does not tolerate loneliness. In addition to playing, she also loves swimming, as well as sitting on top of closets and doors. If you opt for this beautiful cat, you will never want to replace it with another breed.

3. ABYSSINIAN CAT

It is one of the first breeds of cats to start living alongside humans. It originates from the African wild cat and was brought to Europe from Africa. It is an excellent hunter, but it is not aggressive, so it is ideal for keeping indoors. Her temperament is balanced and stable. She loves to play with people and dogs alike. She has a habit of always being with the owner, so don't be surprised if she follows you in the footsteps of whatever you do. In return, she asks for attention and cuddling. Therefore, if she misses it, she can very easily become depressed. With proper care and nursing, this beauty will adorn your life for another 20 years (that’s how long her life span is).

4. EUROPEAN SHORT-HAIRED CAT (CELTIC CAT)

It originates from northern Europe, Scandinavia, and Great Britain, and originated from an ordinary domestic cat. She is extremely attached to the owners and suspicious of strangers. It coexists well with other breeds of cats and non-aggressive dogs (after getting to know them well). This is a very lively and intelligent breed of cat, and they are not prone to disease. They do not require special care. It is enough, just a little time for combing, cutting claws, and a few baths, for this cat to be flawless.

5. BIRMAN CAT (SACRED BIRMAN)

They are also called SACRED BIRMANS because according to legend they are considered the guardians of the souls of Buddhist priests.

The Burmese cat is recognizable by its white "socks" on its paws, distinctly blue eyes, and semi-long and shiny hair with dark parts (Colorpoint) on its head, ears, legs, and tail. They have an "angel" look, but also the same nature. They are real salon cats, but staying in the garden is a real challenge for them because, like all cats, they are curious and love to explore. Burmese cats are long-lived. Their average life expectancy is 15-17 years and they are not prone to diseases. By temperament, they are pretty calm, affectionate, and attached to their owners. They like to play, but they do it in moderation without too much chasing. They want to spend time napping in the owner's lap and are a great choice if you are also a dog owner.

6. AMERICAN BOBTAIL

This breed of cat is also called "SNOW-BOB" and "YANKEE-BOB". It is a relatively new breed of cat, created by a spontaneous gene mutation in The 1960s in America. It is recognizable by its very short tail. By the way, these are very shrewd and intelligent cats, which sometimes know how to alleviate the heated family atmosphere. They are very playful and have outstanding coordination of movements, and are even able to catch an object in flight. A good temperament allows them to get along with other pets, including dogs. Their character and kindness tell us that they are the right choice for families with children.

7. MAINE COON

She is also called the "GENTLE GIANT", because of his size on the one hand and his gentle character on the other. They are similar in behavior to dogs, so they will get along well with them. They are very attached to the owner and often accompany him in daily affairs. They are sociable, so they prefer to eat in the company of other cats or humans. By no means they don't like to be alone. Therefore, if you already have a dog, and you are also planning to a cat, then "MAINE COON CAT" is the right choice for you.

8. NORWEGIAN FOREST CAT

This breed of cat has been around for thousands of years, but its breeding began in the 1930s. Her somewhat rugged appearance is the opposite of her character. It is an extremely cuddly and gentle cat that will get along well with other cats and dogs. They rarely meow, but they often purr.

The Norwegian Forest Cat is an excellent hunter and likes to climb high places, so it is advisable to stock up on high scratchers.

Because of its character, it will fit well into any family.

9. RAGDOLL

The Ragdoll is a relatively new breed of cat. It originated in California in the 1960s. They belong to one of the largest breeds of domestic cats. It is a very cuddly and "quiet" breed. She is very attached to her owners, so because of that, but also because of her intelligence, she is often compared to dogs. She is moderately playful, and her playing activity is limited to just a few minutes a day. But she likes to play lying on her back most of the time. It is adorned with a tolerant attitude toward other animals and children.

10. SIBERIAN CAT

The Siberian cat is a very old, natural breed of cat native to Russia. This beautiful long-haired beauty is a lively, playful, affectionate, and intelligent pussy cat. Still, she is distrustful of strangers and does not like strangers in the house. She has a great relationship with children, other cats, and dogs and as such — is sociable, and does not tolerate loneliness. It gives a lot of love, and in return, it only asks for your attention.

                               "We take care of our pets as for ourselves."

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DO YOU FEAR INVASION OF TICKS AND FLEAS?

WRITTEN BY XENA

CAUTION-THE HIDDEN ATTACKERS FROM THE GRASS

That spring is just around the corner is also shown by pests — unwanted guests who crawl into the fur and skin of our pets, especially cats and dogs. The pests I want to talk about are, you guessed it-FLEA AND TICKS. These parasites do not lurk on our pets only in the spring, as we thought, but they are active all year round if there is no frost. Therefore, it is necessary to adequately protect a dog or cat through all seasons from these pests. By protecting them, we are actually protecting ourselves and our homes.

TICKS love warm and humid weather; your pet can pick them up anywhere in the outdoor environment (park, meadow, or lawn). Otherwise, these are parasites that live on the host: a human, or some other mammal (cat, dog, reptile, or bird) and can stay attached therefor days.

Only one individual can lay 3,000 to 22,000 eggs.

They feed on the blood of their host.

During feeding, the tick takes only nutrients from the blood and the rest is returned to the host, thus transmitting various dangerous diseases.

The most common diseases in DOGS caused by tick bites are:

-PYROPLASMOSIS (DOG BABESIOSIS)

-LYME BORELIOSIS

-MONOCYTIC ERLICHIOSIS

-GRANULOCYTIC ANAPLASMOSIS

Here I will focus exclusively on PYROPLASMOSIS.

PYROPLASMOSIS (DOG BABESIOSIS) is a deadly and as such the most dangerous disease that occurs in dogs but does not affect cats.

The disease manifests itself between 36 and 72 hours after the bite and the incubation lasts 5-7 days, or in some cases 10-21 days.

Therefore, pay attention to the following SYMPTOMS in your DOGS:

- high temperature and fever (40-41 degrees Celsius)

- vomiting

- constipation or diarrhea

- loss of appetite and refusal of food

- rapid breathing and heart rate

- change in urine color

- pale mucous membranes

- marked weakness and fatigue (helplessness, rapid fatigue, reluctance

  movement, depression, the disinterest of the animal)

Suppose you think that your pet has some of the above symptoms, and is infected with a tick. In that case, my warm advice is - VISIT A VETERINARY IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT DELAY, because a QUICK reaction is the MOST IMPORTANT in this disease. With timely therapy, you can save the LIFE of your pet.

Except for dogs, are the CATS immune to ticks? One of the diseases your cat can get from a tick and flea bite is HEMOBARTONELOSIS or CAT INFECTIOUS ANEMIA. This disease attacks the red blood cells of cats as well as dogs. In addition to being transmitted by a tick or flea bite, it is possible for kittens to become infected through breast milk if the cat is breastfeeding them.

SYMPTOMS OF THIS DISEASE ARE:

- fever

- pale or yellowish mucosa

- weakness

- depression

- possibly enlarged spleen

Cats infected with feline leukemia (FeLV) and FIV (immunodeficiency syndrome) have a more severe form of HEMOBARTONELOSIS and the clinical picture of the disease depends on the immune status of the animal, the stage of the disease, and the severity of anemia. And in this case, timely therapy saves the life of your pet. It is important to emphasize that feline hemobartonelosis is NOT DANGEROUS TO HUMANS and that humans CANNOT become infected through their pets.

In addition to ticks, the fur and skin of your dog or cat can be inhabited by another "tenant" - FLEA. It is a small, brown, wingless parasite (unable to fly), with very strong hind legs, so it can jump from animal to animal. It feeds on the blood of the host, which can cause severe allergic reactions, so the animal's skin can be red and thickened, and full of scabs, as the animal scratches. 

In addition, the flea leaves its feces on the animal's fur in the form of ground pepper, primarily in the sacral part and the root of the tail. Fleas, with their bite, cause discomfort and pain in pets, but they can also be carriers of serious diseases and "occupy" your living space. In order to avoid this scenario, it is important to take effective preventive action.

In the beginning, I said that prevention is very important in order to protect our pets and ourselves. Here, we can help our pets with various preparations that we can find on the market - from various chewable tablets to sprays and ampoules. Likewise, we ourselves can make a natural repellent that will be effective in fighting fleas and ticks.

Here are some tips:

1. REPLETE SPRAY AGAINST FLEAS AND TICKS

Ingredients:

3 drops of geranium essential oil

3 drops of lemongrass essential oil

3 drops of cedar essential oil

In the prepared bottle (ideally a spray bottle) drip the oils of the mentioned plants and add a teaspoon of alcohol.

Close and shake the bottle to bring the ingredients together.

After the mixture turns white, add apple cider vinegar and water and shake again.

When using the product, avoid applying it to the area around the nose, and take special care not to come into contact with the eyes.

2. APPLE VINEGAR is a great flea repellent.

Mix apple cider vinegar and water in a ratio of 1: 1 and spray this liquid on your pet's hair. After that, rub the liquid as much as possible on the skin with your hands or a brush.

Repeat every few days, until complete elimination of parasites.

3. GERANIUM OIL is one of the best natural repellents. It successfully repels fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes from pets.

Due to its calming effect, it is also known as an excellent antidepressant, so you can use it in moments when your pet is exposed to stress.

 

REMEMBER: it is important to remove ticks, as soon as possible, before the host becomes infected!!!

                                    "We take care of our pets as for ourselves."

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