Caring for an Older Cat – Cat Health and Cat Care
Caring for an Older Cat - Cat Health and Cat Care
Cats are living longer lives thanks to dedicated care from their humans, and advances in veterinary medicine. Most experts consider a cat's "senior years" to begin on her 10th birthday. After this point, the aging process begins to slow in even the most playful feline. Yet, with a little extra attention from her owner, Miss Kitty might enjoy another 5-10 years of life and love.Just as with humans, cats often lose the ability to hear as they age. This often goes unnoticed by owners, who might chalk their cat's lack of response to typical feline aloofness. Without keen hearing and vision, however, an older cat is more vulnerable to threats from cars and dogs on the street. It is best to keep an older cat indoors. If she loves the fresh air, make sure you supervise her in a protected area.Even the most easygoing cat can become a finicky eater in her later years. As an older cat's senses of smell and taste begin to diminish, she becomes less interested in her food. Adding moist food and warming her meals will amplify the scent and make it more tantalizing. Moist food will increase the amount of water in your cat's diet.It is important to keep fresh water available for your older cat, and to monitor her drinking habits. Her natural thirst drive can fade with age, causing her to become dangerously dehydrated rather quickly. Take note of about how much water your cat drinks each day. If the amount suddenly drops, and you know she is not getting water from any other source, contact your veterinarian.Remember that there have been huge advances in medical care for cats in recent years. Online shopping for cat medication has become popular, but remember that there is no substitute for regular check-ups with your veterinarian.Common problems owners see their geriatric cats develop include difficulties swallowing due to decreased saliva production, less tolerance to extreme heat and/or cold, gum disease and tooth loss, a change in litter habits, and not sleeping well.Recent studies have uncovered a problem with potassium balance in many older cats. Poor coat condition, loss of appetite and lethargy have been linked to a mild form of hypokalemia, or low blood potassium. Low blood potassium damages the cat's kidneys, which, in an older cat, are already weakening. This leads to a vicious cycle because declining kidney function increases the loss of potassium in the blood, which in turn causes further deterioration of the kidneys.Arthritis and stiffness is fairly common in older cats. Because it becomes more difficult to move, a geriatric cat spends more time sleeping. If her diet stays the same, she'll begin to pack on the pounds. The extra weight adds to her discomfort, making her more inclined not to move. Without exercise her muscles will weaken. It is important to encourage an older cat into some activity every day. Physical movement will help with digestion and bowel function, as well as keep her sharp mentally.An older cat spends less time grooming herself than in her youth. As a result, her hair becomes dry and painfully matted. Regular grooming from her owner is required to keep her coat healthy and beautiful. Daily brushing removes loose hair that can form uncomfortable hairballs in her stomach.As your cat gets older its important that she is comfortable. You should ensure that your cat has a comfortable, warm bed that she can stretch out on. Cushions and hammock bed on radiators are popular.Pet Medication Supplies http://www.pet-medication-supplies.net can help you get the best possible supplies for your pet. Advantix, Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals in pet medication for flea and tick control, arthritis and lyme disease. Upto 50% discount everyday on brand names.
Orchid Care – What The Leaves Tell Us-Gardening
Orchid Care - What The Leaves Tell Us
Orchid Care Leaves Tell Us About Orchid HealthOver the past 20 years the orchid supply has become almost limitless. All in all orchid care leaves is becoming more important to all the orchid lovers. The leaves can also give very important information about the orchid plant.Orchid care leaves can help you to diagnose what is wrong with your plant. I imagine this as one of the best ways to see the early signs of potentially fatal diseases.Leaves can be yellow, blackened or brown or they may become shriveled. Let's learn more about orchid care and what to do.Blackened leaves show their effects on the body or the tip of the leaf. If it is on the body of the plant it is usually due to the hot sun causing a leave to burn. Orchid care would tell us that if this may to the case put the plant away from direct sunlight.If sun burn is not the cause and the size of the spots continue to grow then it may be a bacterial or fungal disease. orchid care leaves suggest to cut off the affected part of the leave and treat it will a fungicide like natriphene.What about blackened or brown tips of the leave. This could be caused by excessive minerals in your water. This is fairly common in well water. With orchid care you should have your water tested.It also could be caused by excessive fertilizing, especially cymbidiums or once again a fungal infection. If it seems to become larger you need to cut off the affected and treat the plant with a fungicide.Leaves may also be mottled or streaked black or brown. They are telling us that this could be from a viral infection. Caring for orchids tells us to determine this special tests are needed and can be provided by your local agriculture experiment station. You will need to send in a leave. As in humans, there is really not much for treating this right now. Orchid care leaves also suggest that you isolate this plant right away.Yellow leaves are probably the most common ailment we see. Good orchid care would tell us that it just could be a natural phenomenon called old age. If it seems to e happening to the oldest leaves don't worry.On the other hand it could be from, too much light (most common), not enough nitrogen in the fertilizer or if the medium is primarily bark. Other causes include being subjected to low temps or loss of roots.
Orchid care would suggest to first change the lighting and potential for low temps. Keep in mind that in the North being on a window sill during winter can be a cold spot.Another condition that you could see in orchids are small spots that turn from reddish brown to black. These are most likely caused by fungal infection.As orchid growers we need to remember that humidity is needed for proper orchid growth and the orchid supply. Too much humidity favors the growth of fungus.The last orchid care leaves tip I want to mention is the shriveling of the pseudopods. Pseudopods are very efficient water storage areas of the plants. If there is not enough water given to the plants or the humidity is too low the leaves will shrivel. Also, if the root system is dying you can get shriveled pseudopods.Leaves sure do tell us a great deal about orchids and help us to keep diseases at bay and not becoming fatalVisit our Orchid Store: http://www.orchid-store.orchids-plus-more.com** This article can be used freely as long as the author and the Orchids-Plus-More.com are identified within the articleThis site http://www.orchids-plus-more.com is devoted to these wonderful orchid plants. Did you know they are the second in popularity only to the poinsettia plants? You will find a good deal of information on how easy orchid care really is. They are wonderful to have around your home or for that special gift. Orchid flowers are beautiful and can last for years. Your plant will be appreciated for years and years.The article may be reproduced in full with the name of the author and the web site, http://www.orchids-plus-more.com cited in the article.
Do You Have a Dog Day Care Business Plan?
Do You Have a Dog Day Care Business Plan?
If you are considering opening a dog day care, then you need to make sure you have a dog day care business plan. A solid dog day care business plan will help you get started in the right direction.My name is Kelley Blackston and I run a successful dog day care. The reason our dog day care has been such a success in our local area is because we have stuck to our dog day care business plan.By making sure things are organized we avoid the pitfalls that many people have to suffer through when starting their dog day care business.It would be very difficult for us to have a profitable dog day care if we did not have a solid dog day care business plan.A dog day care business plan requires that you take into consideration the cost of resources and understand the laws of your area.Be sure that your dog day care business plan takes into account all the various needs of your dogs and their owners.You always want a strong dog day care business plan so that your dog day care business will continue to grow each and every week.My main piece of advice for you is to make sure your dog day care business plan is very organized and easy to follow. Don't make it more difficult than it has to be!Good luck with your dog day care business plan.Kelley BlackstonP.S. You may use this article in your publication, but the content and signature file must remain intact. Thank you."Thousands Have Discovered This Little Known Secret To Making Money With A Dog Day Care -- Now It's Your Turn..."Dog Day Care Business Plan