Advantages: Happy Pussy, Happy Owner
Disadvantages: None

...I have kept cats for over 30 years, have bred and shown pedigree cats, and currently have a brood of 9 rescue cats so have a fair amount of experience with our feline friends. The first thing I would say is KNOW YOUR CAT. Cats should be bright eyed, glossy coated and have a cold wet nose. They should move easily, especially when young, and have a good appetite. They are so individual that what in one cat would be a clear sign of being 'off colour' would in another be perfectly normal behaviour. It is only when your cat starts behaving in a completely different way that alarm bells should begin to sound. I have found that, on the whole cats are extremely healthy, as long as you follow a few simple rules. 1. FEEDING. Do not overfeed. A fat cat is an unhappy and unhealthy animal. Cats are carnivores, and are capable of surviving... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Useful Information for Cat Owners
Disadvantages: Not always stocked by shops

...The magazine YOUR CAT first appeared in the shops ten years ago. It is a glossy magazine for cat lovers and contains articles on celebrities (and their cats of course), gardening, crafts, kitten-care and, of course, cats! Regular columns are: "Cat's Eye" which is several pages of news items, competitions, new products, gossip and other snippets, freebies, etc. "Caught in the Act" is a picture gallery of reader's cats and "Cat Chat" is about four pages of letters. There is also "Feline File" including the kitten buyers' guide which is advertisements for kittens for sale and also a pen pals column. This is followed by the classified section. This is a magazine that should appeal to anyone who has the slightest interest in cats, from the complete beginner to the expert, as it has breed profiles and expert advice... Read review

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Advantages: Getting a healthy cat.
Disadvantages: Choosing from the options.

...In preparation for my new role as Special Events co-ordinator, I was browsing through the various sections of “pets” when I chanced upon a category that has not been reviewed in any depth. Tucked away under pet carriers is “Where to get your cat from”. Now I have kept cats all my life, from the tender age of five when I kept bringing strays home, to very first flat when I was looking for a cat that would adapt to life in a flat, so I consider myself something of an expert on the subject. Cats are the best kind of pets to adapt to almost any homes and with their independent nature can be left at home for the day while the owner goes out to work. This, however, doesn’t apply to young kittens so before you set about looking for that fluffy little kitten to pamper and play with you must think of the animals needs. A kitten requires... Read review

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Advantages: home checks, advice and guidance
Disadvantages: can be difficult to contact

...of cats I wanted) and arranged for a volunteer to come out and give me a home visit. About a week later (because they were very busy) a volunteer came to home check the house which mainly consisted of: *Checking the house wasn't on or near a main road (if it is then they will fail your check) *Checking your house for things like trailing wires behind your TV and warning you that kittens like to chew *Checking your back garden for dangers like ponds/wells etc *Asking if you have holes that give access behind walls or under floors that your new cat could get stuck in. *Explain that cats and kittens like to scratch and that you'll probably end up having your furniture clawed to pieces. *Ask about cats in the area; are there any? are they friendly? is there a lot of fighting? *They also check to see if you have prepared for the possible... Read review

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Advantages: a happy, healthy cat
Disadvantages: it takes time

...-watchers" programmes are widely available at every vet clinic in the UK and are relatively cheap. Fin was prescribed reduced calorie dry cat food and the vet then worked out that to reach a healthy weight, Fin would need to lose 3Kgs to 3.5Kgs over a 6 month period. I was told how much food to give him a day and bring him back every 3 weeks for a weigh-in (weigh-ins are free of charge at my vet). --------------------------------------------------------------- I have read up quite extensively now on obesity in cats and I'd like share my findings with other Ciao members. INTRODUCTION Obesity is a problem no longer confined to humans. It is fast becoming a serious issue for domestic cats and dogs in the UK too and they run the risk of health complications similar to us. HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CAT IS OVERWEIGHT To be overweight, cats... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Very informative and provides money for cats protection
Disadvantages: None

...I absolutely love cats and this magazine is excellent. It gives you all you need to know each quarter about how to care for your cat. Different features each month help you to learn new things about cats and kittens. There are plenty of stories of how Cats Protection have rescued cats and brought them back from near death experiences. To give you an idea of what is included in The Cat this quarter it is focusing on the advantages of microchipping your cat in case it is lost and what to do if your kitty has wandered off and you can't find her. They also give details of cats that need rehoming and the where the branches of Cats Protection around the country are. This magazine is packed with cute photos of cats and lots of reader letters telling stories about what their cat has been up to. I feel it is well worth... Read review

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Advantages: They Purr, and let you stroke then now and then.
Disadvantages: scratch,eat,poo,sick furballs,get hair on the little black dress.

...Cats are sooo clever they have a way of taming their owners. They teach you respect ,menus,feeding times,personal space,cost of furniture etc etc. What is it about that big fur ball sitting purring on your lap with it's claws digging into your knee that is so appealing and makes you turn to mush? Well I wish I knew but I have two of them and they have me well under the thumb. They have more toys than most kids would have. They just need to mew and i'm saying whats up baby. They roll on their back and get a awwwww how cute. ( with a treat to follow) They have it sussed they know how to get the best out of us and we love it. They have their own personality as a cat owner for a few years i have had a few different kinds so here are some things to expect if you come accross a cat that decides to chose you as it's pet... Read review

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Advantages: Cats love small enclosed spaces....
Disadvantages: ....but only until they realize they can't get out.

...Before you run out and buy a carrier, here are three things to know about your cat: 1) How big is your cat? Adults cats range from 4lbs to 30lbs, from the size of a softball to that of a mutant cocker spaniel. If you're not certain, (and Catilla the Hun refuses to get on the scale) here are some guidelines: The average cat weighs between 9-12lbs. Most "big" cats are 15-18lbs. The lithe ones skipping through the Friskies commercials are about 11 lbs. Morris on the other hand is around 17. If you're still not sure and don't want to guesstimate, get on the scale with the cat firmly in hand and see how much you weigh together. Then release the cat, patch up the wounds on your arms and get back on the scale. 2) How does your cat react to being confined? Once upon a time I was blessed with The Bondage Kitty. I'm serious... Read review

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Advantages: cheap, cheape rin multipacks
Disadvantages: smells foul!!

...pull for easiness too ! The meat is described as Fine cuts in jelly. The tin size is the average 400g. The recommended feeding of this size tin is half to one full tin daily depending on the size and activity of your cat.Obviously each cat has its own eating habits so dont take my word as gospel! So the food!.... the tin I have in front of me is Salmon and Tuna! On opening you are faced with a picture of sizeable chunks in a beigey coloured jelly. The chunks look like the colour of pork. Obviously it does not resemble fish in the slightest, but as the tin says a minimum of 8% fish, you are lead to understand that this is pretty man made! Meat and Animal derivatives are the main ingredients which, I must admit made me think about eyeballs and testicles and euch things!!! It sort of made me worry too when I saw 3% of the food was made... Read review

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Advantages: They can come and go as they please, unless you deem otherwise!
Disadvantages: Not much use if your cat refuses to wear a collar

...considering the cat food we save by not having to feed all the neighbours cats! There is a little notch at the bottom of the see-through door, which drops down when a magnet is placed in front of it, allowing the flap to open. So our cats can come in and the neighbourhood cats can't. Phew! Next door have two rescue cats who will not wear a collar, so this kind of cat flap is not an option for them. I don't think I've ever known a cat be happy with a collar where it wasn't introduced when they were kittens. There is a control on the door so that you can prevent your cats coming in or going out etc. The settings are: Allowed out but not allowed in Allowed in but not allowed out Allowed in and out Not allowed in or out This is useful if your cat tends to do a disappearing act when a vet visit is imminent! Mine are stupid... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful