You may find a lot of cat food out there in the market but they are not always healthy. Homemade food is the best for providing your cat with nutrition. You can start making some homemade samples and try it with your cat initially.

A word of warning here – Before starting to make food for your pet you must know what ingredients to be avoided. Chocolates are not at all healthy for cats. Some other unhealthy ingredients for your kitty are garlic, onions, raisins, raw egg whites, tomatoes, and grapes. Besides avoiding these ingredients your cat’s diet should contain a large amount of animal protein. Cats are carnivores so they need anywhere between 60-80% meat proteins to produce amino acids. Lack of it may make your cat blind.

Things you need to know before preparing homemade cat food samples:

Animal proteins are essential for your cat. It may come from chicken, poultry, beef, pork, fish or liver. You should give your pet, liver frequently as it gives vitamin A which they cannot produce on their own. However, you must not use the same source of protein every day and variety is necessary.
Besides making the food tastier, animal fat also helps to make the fur and skin healthy and shiny. It develops the circulatory and urinary systems. Kittens need 35% and adult cats need 30% of fat.
Calcium and phosphorus ratio should be 1:1.3. To accomplish this ratio you can use calcium supplements.
Homemade cat food should ideally have 10-30% water in it.
All food should contain less than 10% carbohydrates.

Here are a few homemade cat food sample ideas:

Basic Cat Food
You can mix olive oil or salmon oil, feline vitamin or mineral supplement, cooked potato without skin, cooked pasta or white rice or barley or oatmeal or peas, cooked animal protein altogether. You can use a blender for perfect mixture and store it in the fridge until you need it.

Tuna Patties
You have to drain the tuna first and then mix all the ingredients like the tuna, boiled rice, pureed liver and chopped parsley. After that make balls and form them into patties. Store in the fridge and serve.

Rabbit Stew
You can fry boned rabbit meat chunks in olive oil. Then sprinkle parsley, rosemary, marjoram, and thyme. Then add unsalted vegetable stock water and boil. Cover it and cook in a low to medium oven. Next add chopped sweet potato, carrot, celery, leek, turnip, peas and cook. Once cooked, cool it and then serve to your kitty. It is good for human beings also!

You have got a pet cat that you love more than anything. But when it comes to cleaning its litter, you probably freak out every single time. You can be rescued from this tiring and irritating job simply by using a self- cleaning litter box. This will save you from the tedious job while giving your cat a healthy environment. Following are some benefits that you will get to enjoy if you use a self-cleaning litter box:

If you are using a traditional litter box then you must be putting a lot of effort and time into it. The time you waste to clean the poop may be spent by doing some other interesting job. The self-cleaning litter box, as its name suggests, cleans itself without your interference. This saves your time, now you will get more time to play with your pet as well.
The self-cleaning litter boxes have patented litter shifting technology. This helps to separate the clean litter from the clumped and soiled litter. This leaves a clean litter bed for your cat after every use. You need not worry about scooping manually ever again. You just have to pick up the scoop one last time for throwing it away into the dustbin.
The cleaning of the litter box is also very easy. After separating the litter, it is stored into a hidden waste chamber under the globe. When the chamber is full it indicates to clean it. All you have to do is take out the drawer and keep a new disposable bag there. It is simply like cleaning your kitchen garbage.
If you have many cats and if you are troubled with multiple litter boxes then you are simply wasting your time and money. Throw them away and buy a self-cleaning litter box. It has a large opening and litter bed area which is suitable for some large breeds also.
The litter box chamber, where the waste is stored, is a covered place preventing the odor from spreading across the house. The prompt cleaning process prevents the bad smell from escaping after a few moments and they use a carbon filter in the waste drawer specially to prevent the nasty smell of the poop.
Your cat may behave disobediently if stuck with a soiled litter box. The self-cleaning litter box cleans itself promptly after every use. This makes your cat as well as you happy.
These self-cleaning litter boxes, though not very cost effective, come with guaranteed service. This means you do not need to change your litter box over and over again.

Are you troubled with litter cleaning of your pet cat? Then you should know that there are plenty of self-cleaning litter boxes out in the market. They will save your time and labor and will clean themselves automatically. Following are some self-cleaning litter boxes which will serve great for your kitty:

Litter Robot III

This automatic litter box starts working seven minutes after your cat leaves. It is specially designed to reduce odor and it’s very easy to use and clean. This is absolutely perfect for multiple cats as well. It has a big opening and a light to be used in night time. You will get 18 months warranty too.

Litter Robot LRII

This litter box has a weight-activated sensor which can detect when your cat enters it. It also starts working after seven minutes. It has a globe that rotates separating the clumps from the litter. The waste is deposited in a large capacity drawer which saves you from clogging problems. It also comes with 18 months warranty.

ScoopFree

It has a disposable tray with crystals in it to absorb the liquid portion of the litter and the odor. It dehydrates the solid waste and covers it in an odor controlling waste trap. It does not stick to the cat’s paws.

CatGenie

This is the only litter box which has self-washing and self-flushing system. It washes, sanitizes and dries itself automatically. It is absolutely germ, odor and dust free. It has washable granules perfect for your pet to dig and cover. But this cannot be used for more than three cats. It needs electricity and cold water.

Pet Zone Smart Scoop

It is the most cost effective self-cleaning litter. Carbon zeolite is used which helps to absorb the odor. It is much quiet than other litter boxes. It has a high raised deflector which prevents the litter from falling on the floor. This comes with No Touch plastic bags which last for a month. It comes with a one year warranty.

Litter Maid

This litter box can hold 50% more litter than other boxes and is great to use for many cats. You can clean it very easily by pushing two buttons only. Carbon filters used in it locks the odor. It has high walls and safety bars to prevent blockage.

PetSafe Simply Clean

It is uniquely designed to remove wastes automatically and continuously. It does not need any special bags and runs quietly on low voltage AC power adapter. It is very easy to use and clean and it comes with one year warranty.

All of us want our pets to be as healthy as possible. With today’s sky rocketing prices of pet care, maintenance and food, it’s becoming exceedingly difficult to manage budgets. Sometimes, people who are struggling to make ends meet, tend to just serve the leftover food to their pets. Cats need a balanced and nutritious diet to remain healthy. They are obligate carnivores, so optimum nutrition starts with meat. It is important to feed your cat with whole meat that is easily digestible and delicious. While you can prepare homemade cat food, there are certain commercial food items and treats you would have to spend on, on a regular basis. Cat food can be expensive, depending on the brands you choose. The surest way to buy good quality cat food within your budget is by looking for cat food coupons online. There are plenty of cat food coupons, discounts and combos available which will help you buy nutritious cat food at reasonable prices.

Below are a few brands you can purchase the coupons from:

Halo

Halo is America’s most loved holistic pet brand. They sell a variety of cat food formulas that contain whole meat, digestible whole proteins, vitamins and mineral rich vegetable blends, moist stews and dry kibble. This is highly recommended since it provides all the nutritional requirements to your pet. All you have to do is subscribe to their mailing list to avail coupons via email.
halopets.com

Goodlife

Goodlife is another preferred brand by most cat owners. It’s products are made of real chicken or salmon, fruits and vegetables and do not contain any artificial ingredients or flavors. Sign up on their website to avail combos, discounts and coupons for nutritious cat foods.
thegoodliferecipe.com

Friskies
Friskies prides itself for providing tender and crunchy food combos for your feline friends. These double texture combos include chicken, beef, turkey and vegetables. They offer an extensive range of wet cat food, dry cat food and cat treats coupons.
friskies.com

CouponCat
CouponCat has showcases an updated list of cat food coupons on its homepage from several sources. They also list manufacturer coupons in a alphabetical order by brand name. The website also connects you to major coupon providers such as Coupons Inc., RedPlum, Hopster and Smartsource.
couponcat.net

Diet plays a very vital role in maintaining the health and well-being of your pet cat. Feeding your cat with canned food or homemade food instead if dry kibble is very essential for their optimal health. By doing a bit of research on what to feed your cat, you can prevent serious and painful illnesses. Meet a veterinarian to get valuable advice on cat nutrition.
Cats are obligate carnivores and their digestive system is designed for a highly meat-based diet. Their dietary requirements are different from that of humans and dogs. Cats need a high protein diet to fuel their energy. In addition to proteins, cats also require amino acids namely taurine, cysteine, arginine and methionine. Meat contains these amino acids in abundance. Cats also require fat as a source of energy. Fats also provide them with soluble vitamins A, D and E and enhance the taste of their food. Cats derive the necessary fat from meat based food products as plant sources are not enough to meet their needs. Cats don’t have the ability to digest too much carbohydrates and hence their diet needs to be charted out carefully.
Since cats have a unique dietary requirement, it becomes quite challenging to provide the right balance of nutrients through homemade food. Commercial cat food is formulated to suit all your cat’s needs and must be incorporated as a part of its diet. When purchasing commercial cat food, ensure that it is complete’ food. This is usually mentioned in the packaging. Giving your cat, a variety of foods with different flavors and textures is also a good idea. For instance, dry cat feed is good for improving their oral health and wet food has a higher water content, beneficial for their health. Cats derive most of their water intake through food, hence it is good to include it as a major part of their diet.
Commercial food can be quite expensive. However, there are plenty of cat food coupons and combos available online, to help you cut costs and save money, all the while feeding nutritious food to your cat.

People all round the world have loved dogs, and that’s okay. But, to push away cats as pets that aren’t friendly or stubborn is wrong. Here are a few breeds that will break all the common cat myths, and make you want to have one as soon as you can.

The ragdoll: Lazy or rather floppy, yet gentle and rather affectionate, this cat would, in the sense of a dog owner, be a lot like a pug. It follows you wherever you go. It cannot defend itself, and should be well taken care of and protected. Kids in the house would be most delighted to have this little kitty around. It’s safe to play with this breed as they really know that teeth and claws should not be used while playing. Animals around can be good company, but the self-defense can be a bit of a concern when some aggressive animals come into the picture. Grooming is one thing this cat requires. A relaxed lifestyle suits the cat best. It weighs just about 15 pounds.

The siamese: This is one breed that breaks all the stereotypes that people have of cats. Attention is something they love, and would loudly and openly demand for it too. Love is something they would reciprocate to very well and are extremely social in nature. They are very habit driven and love to travel a lot. They of course can be a bit nervous at times, but are certainly the cat breed you want to take home with you. They come in a range of colors and the patches are a part of the breed in general.

The abyssinian: An old breed of cats, with pointy ears, slender legs and a build that resembles the Egyptian breed of cats. It is one that is small in size and is a cute little ball of fur. It weighs just about 10 pounds, A smart cat, and unlike most myths, is an extrovert too. It can be a tiny explorer that loves to play. Water is its weakness, in the sense that you can be sure to have a partner when you feel like taking a dip in your tub. They don’t do too well with strangers, but are rather curious. For a family, it’s a wonderful pick, because they are comfortable and love their homely environment. They stay loyal and have a very friendly nature when it comes to socializing with other animals.

You’re either a cat person, or a dog person. You certainly cannot be both and whichever one you are, you know your pet can turn your whole world upside down. For the better of course, because hardly anyone understands you better than your pets do. Here are a few tips on cat care before you have get one in your house.

Cats have an independent characteristic, but you obviously cannot expect them to take perfect care of themselves. So before you decide to have a cat, you need to make room for one and understand that caring for it is a commitment. Your lifestyle and the way you manage time changes when you bring home a pet. Hence, it is absolutely essential that you do some research before you get yourself a cat.
People can be allergic to cats. Be sure to check if everyone at home is okay and ready to have a cat. You don’t want to bring home the beautiful kitty and then not be able to keep it. Have the necessary tests done, or you could always choose a cat that is low on allergens, consulting the animal shelter or the vet would be ideal.

Once you’ve decided the cat, and want to bring it home, make sure to visit the vet. Take the cat to the vet and get a thorough check-up done. Always better to be safe before bringing the cat home.

Bringing a cat home without a litter box is not the best idea. So, before you bring the cat home, have a litter box set up. Covered boxes are a good pick, since that will give your cat some privacy. This would work well for you too, since gathering all the litter would become rather easy. Maintain the box and clean it often.

Any pet loves to play and cats are no different. A nice welcome toy for your cat would make it super happy. These animals can get happy even with just an empty box, or a toy mice and even string feathers. They’re mainly meant to keep the cat occupied, and active.

Frozen dried chicken nuggets or catnips are really good baits for training the cat. Also when you pick the food for your cat, make sure it’s healthy, and you run the list through your vet. You always want your pet to stay healthy and be fed well.

A pet isn’t something you dread, so have your lifestyle changed, and be mentally prepared to groom, bathe and care for another living creature. You have to make living with your pet fun for yourself and for them.