Gangland War

Those in most countries, especially those in Australia at the moment will know all about gangland wars; just like the one in Melbourne.

Well, a similar sort of thing is going on in my very own neighborhood, with the local cats.

All of them; well the six or so that I have seen, are very territorial. Especially my cat. She constantly prowls around her territory (which spans across 6 properties), on the lookout for intruders. It it very similar to military patrols etc.

When other cats are detected, war begins. And all the cats in the neighborhood do this. Six cats fighting for land adds up to a disaster. As my royal cat is the biggest of them all, her territory continues to expand, and she is always in borderline wars.

If her territory grows any larger, she will be patrolling so often that I will barely ever see her.

The life of a cat.

The Pet Health Trap

At one stage in everyone's life, someone, be it a doctor, a friend, or a family member - has told them that they are doing something wrong, or not doing anything at all in regards to their health, or the health of someone in their care.

Who hasn't been there? Don't eat that, stay away from fat, sugar is evil. Then the story turns - some fat IS needed, and glucose levels DO need to be maintained.

With out pets being such a large part of our lives it's not strange that this human insecurity has transferred on to their situations.

The latest development in animal health care, is holistic health.

Now, caring for pets as we do, it is certain that at some point in time we have come across an article, or a book, or even a TV show about the natural approach to our beloved pets care. I certainly have.

Holistic care removes the packaged cat food, discourages vaccinations and antibiotics and suggests herbs and supplements to ensure your darlings safety. That is all fine and well and if it works, why not? But where is the scientific proof? (I am a scientific sort of person), and where is the consideration for the cats wishes in all of this?

One thing is for certain, if I took my cats precious salmon away (and I have tried) there would be war. The holistic health books for cats I have read also say to cut out as much fish as possible. Now, that is never going to happen. My cat won't even smell anything with chicken, beef, or god forbid, vegetables in it. The only thing she ever eats raw is fresh Atlantic salmon, and that costs nearly the same amount as a tank of petrol (bit of an exaggeration, I know).

And there is another thing with fresh, home cooked foods. Can you really be certain that your pet is getting the right amount of the necessary nutrients? All I can say is that I do not see anything wrong with the organic Vet Science endorsed food that I feed my cat (Although these holistic books can, of course).

Antibiotics and Vaccinations? Well, it is a common known fact that too much of antibiotics does more bad than good - but too much of any good thing is a bad thing. Not many people pump their pets with antibiotics unless it really is necessary, and when it is necessary, sometimes time concerning recovery is the most important thing. Antibiotics are renowned for working quickly, I can't quite say the same thing for herbal supplements. As with vaccinations, they protect the furry monsters from some pretty nasty, life-threatening diseases. And since there are no proven side effects of vaccinating, why take the chance?

I don't know about you, but I am not willing to experiment with my cats life.

The Epic That is Dinner

Now, I don't know about all the other cats out there in the world, but mine sure likes to put drama into being hungry.

Just because she gets starved of course, even though she eats about 10 times a day. How evil a person I am.

Once she has decided that she has been starved for way too long, the drama will begin.

Now, this is when I start to think that my darling little cat deserves an oscar.

Once her tummy is 'grumbling', and the kitchen is in sight, she will collapse on the floor, too starved to go on.

Ow how horrible the little cat's life is, have pity; it is awful hard work feeding the entire family with decapitated lizards, and have you ever tried to be adorable for that long?

Once she is collapsed on the floor, she will not move, just look at you with those big, gold, pleading eyes. Then one has to fill her bowl with her staple food (atlantic salmon) and carry her to the bowl. Talk about spoilt.

Now what happens if she doesn't like the food you have given her? Now that is a crime of sorts. She will look at you like you are cruel, 'How dare you expect me to eat this?? This?? This is unfit for a cat of my status" She will also wiggle her bum away and refuse to look at you.

Demanding enough? No, of course not. There is also a time limit on all of this, if the feeding ritual is not completed in a decent (by her terms) time, she will walk of and be angry for the next few hours.

Despite all of this, she is the apple of my eye, my baby. And despite what most think, I love doing all these things for her, for it is things like this that put constant enjoyment into my everyday life.

Yes, she is spoilt rotten, but I would not have it any other way.

Toys for the Craziest of Cats

Just a quick note before I forget.

If you have an active, somewhat psychotic cat -just like my darling. I have found that Petstages toys are great.

They are developmental toys that stimulate the brain, and keep little kitty's happy. They also keep cats busy therefore keeping their claws out of the furniture and you. (I don't know if anyone else's cat is like that, or if I just raised a spoilt monster)

Her Royal Highness has been playing with petstages toys since she was a kitten and she never tires of them.

They have different stages of toys for different stages of your cats life, and I think we have about every single one.

They are really great so check them out. (There is a link in the useful links section of this blog)

And who ever said pets were cheaper than children.

Tell Them What is Going On!

Separation anxiety, it's a problem most pet owner's have faced at some point.

The symptoms vary from animal to animal, but no matter how subtle their anxiety seems, it is always there - even for cats.

Now, with my cat - she pretends she doesn't care (she doesn't need me you see), but, she will always lurk at the front door, or on the verandah, staring into the distance until I return. I have even caught her trying to sneakily follow me down the street.

If you think about it, all anxiety symptoms in animals make sense. They don't know where you're going, they don't know why, and they are not certain if or when you will be back. In the animal world, when loved ones go away, sometimes they never come back, or are injured when they do. Even after centuries of domestication this frame of mind still remains with them.

The solution to anxiety is simpler than you may think. This is what works for me and Her Royal Highness anyway.

Just tell them when you are going, tell them why, and for the love of the cat (or dog) tell them that you will be back no matter what. Crazily enough something this simple works a treat.

If I forget to tell Her Royal Highness that I am leaving and will be back, or if I sneak out of the house like I used to, to try and prevent her anxiety then she will worry, and worry some more.

On the other hand, if I tell her I am leaving, she will look at me as if to say, "You may leave if you absolutely must, AS LONG as you are home by dinner." Then she will simply carry on ripping up the furniture, or terrorizing lizards - simple day-to-day business.

Animals are smarter than most people think, and every pet owner will tell you that their pet understands every word they say - even if they pretend not to at times. Even the proudest and most independent of cats DOES worry.

After all, imagine the inconvenience if you die.

Her Royal Highness

My partnership with my darling cat started on the 20th of November 2007.

A friend of mine had a cat who ended up having a litter of kittens. One day he contacted me at about 3 in the morning, he had found himself in a predicament.

All the kittens had found homes, except one. No one wanted the little black girl, apparently it is a common perception that black cats are bad luck - even now (can you believe that?). So, since they couldn't find her a home she was going to go to the RSPCA (animal shelter).

This is when my fury started, imagine people tossing away a cat because of superstitions. Was she doomed for life, because she was black? Is she any less of a cat? Would she not still provide love and companionship? In th midst of my fury I contacted the RSPCA, just to find out what the chances for a black cat truly were. Apparently even there, with people coming from far and wide to adopt - black cats were the last to find homes.

That was it, I was furious with the world, worrying my heart out for this poor little cat.

The solution was obvious, I was getting a cat. So I called my friend and told him I was coming over to meet her.

Beautiful and black, with big golden eyes. She pounced on my feet, and it was love at first sight. I brought her home and we both have never been happier.

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I call our situation a partnership, not an ownership.

Truthfully I do not know many people who 'own' their cats. (It's normally the other way around). She loves me and stays with me because she chooses to, not because she has to.

I give a lot, I get alot.

I am not the type of person that believes pet's are just pet's. She is my baby, and therefore treated accordingly. I would not be surprised at all if she was the most spoilt cat, she is certainly the most spoilt cat I know.

The best things in life happen suddenly, and sometimes the split-second decisions you make change your life forever. I adopted a tiny little kitten who was unwanted, now she is two.

Look at her now, it is love.