Pets are usually considered to be a very close member of our families. We feed them, bathe them, spend time with them, play with them, and love them with every part of our being. This includes when they are sick, ailing, or healthy. We want to take care of them as best as we can, making sure our companion will be with us for many years to come.

Some 5000 years ago (recent studies say about 100.000 years ago, but who’s counting) a smart - and hungry - African Wildcat somewhere in (what was then) Upper Egypt made a clever observation. “These strange and mysterious bipeds seem to be very fond of grain”, he thought. “Biped collects lots of grain and keeps it in big baskets. Big baskets of grain attract lots of yummy mice! Biped doesn’t seem to like mice in his grain! I think I’ll adopt one of these strange bipeds and live in his house and EAT HIS MICE FOR HIM!”

While your cat litter box problem may be caused by more than one issue, there are two main categories. If you’ve read over my article on the physical causes of this issue, then you already know that this problem is either behavioral, or physical.

Since your cat can’t tell you what’s going on, you have to rule out each possible cause, until you are left with the most logical answer. This is known as a diagnosis of exclusion.

In this case, it is always best to use caution and assume that your cat has a physical problem, unless your vet says otherwise. So, the first step is to have a consultation with your vet.

The Bobcat is an extraordinary feline. A highly adaptable wildcat of North America, the Bobcat has managed to survive in healthy numbers in a variety of habitats, consuming a diverse spectrum of prey, in both wild and inhabited regions. Classified in the Lynx genus, the Bobcat (Lynx Rufus) is considered generally a more successful hunter than the Canadian Lynx, and is perhaps the best mid-sized predator in the continent.

Questions for the environmental pet owner

1. Do you use biodegradable poop bags for your dog? ‘Normal’ carrier bag can take over 100 years to fully breakdown.

2. Do you pick up your dog’s faeces? Apart from the obvious fact that dog faeces look disgusting they can harbour disease and worms. They can contaminate grazing areas for other animals and damage the natural environment.

3. Do you use biodegradable cat litter? Cat litter is available in materials such as wood, paper and corn all of which break down.

One of the most aquatic of all cats, the Flat Headed Cat shares many attributes with the fishing cat, and yet is one of the most unique of all felids. A small wild cat, the Flat Headed Cat is nearly two feet in length and weighs around six pounds. The distinguishing feature is the flattened head owing to the unusual skull morphology in this member of the cat family.

Not all cat food is created equal. Cats respond in a much different manner than do other animals to certain chemicals. These can be in drugs, foods, plants, and other substances where the cat may contact or ingest these chemicals. A cat’s physiological response is quite different than that of other species of animals. This means your cat has to be watched more closely than might other pets.

Depends what type of scratching you’re talking about! If you have a errant feline that’s turning your curtains to tatters, your carpet to crumbs or your doors to dust - then this is the article for you.

Reasons for scratching!

* Claw care - every cat needs a manicure!

* Territory marking - a visual clue to other cats - be thankful he’s not spraying!

* Exercise - hanging by your claws gives the body a good workout!

How do I stop him? Quite simply, you won’t. But this needn’t be such a problem. It just needs a little redirection and an acceptable alternative place for you cat to do his thing.

Oh my word, one of the funniest and oddest things I have ever seen is going on in my place right this minute. We have two cats, Elvis and Daisy May. They are pretty peaceful, laid back, and prefer to sleep most of the time. I don’t know a whole lot about cats, so I am lucky they are low maintenance. They are brother and sister, two years old, and I have always thought they seemed pretty normal, nothing out of the ordinary, like say, a drug problem…or so I thought.

Fishing Cat is another unique example of the great abilities and diversities of the cat family. Found in a range extending from Indochina, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Sumatra and Java it inhabits mainly water bound areas including rivers, mangrove swamps, creeks and thickets up to a height of five thousand feet.