Ringworm, a very common form of skin disease, can affect both dogs and cats. Although its name implies otherwise, this skin disease isn't caused by any type of worm at all.

Ringworm is actually caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes. This fungus feeds on dead tissues found in the surface of the skin, spreading them around the skin of the cat.

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Your feline may appear healthy at this time but it is imperative that you recognize cats do sporadically acquire several widespread cat related disorders. In general, appropriate feline diet combined with daily grooming tends to eradicate many related health risks for your cat. In the event you perceive a drastic transformation in your cat's behavior or its daily activities tend to be modified, you should immediately consult with your pet's veterinarian. It is as a rule better to be safe then sorry when the health of your cat is concerned.

When it comes to hair balls, most cats are responsible for them. It does not matter if your cat has short hair or long. They will still form hair balls. To prevent this, you can brush and comb their hair. Frequently, it is not only the formation of hairballs that it prevents but other ailments. Brushing helps in removing dead hair strands that may end up swallowed by your cat.

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Don't know what your cat's cat chat is telling you? This could very well be the case if you haven't been around many cat chats. One of the tricks is to pay attention to the animal's meow. To figure out what they are trying to talk you need to determine what type of meow it is. The Siamese cat is very vocal with their cat chat discussion.

It's All In The Purr

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In 2001 and again in 2003 the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis examined the risk of mad cow disease to U.S. citizens and determined the risk to be very low to humans. The study stated that as long as the FDA and the USDA continue with current restrictions to processing 'at risk' meat materials into human food and with the current restrictions to processing 'at risk' animal material into animal feed of ruminants (cattle, sheep, pigs), the risk to humans would continue to be low. Unfortunately it is a different circumstance for our pets. Current regulations allow 'at risk materials to be processed into pet food and pet treats - and it is a very common practice.

Existing U.S. rules regarding risk materials got their foundation from an outbreak of mad cow disease in the United Kingdom. During the 1980's the UK had a significant problem with mad cow disease, which ended up being responsible for the death of close to 1000 people. During the height of the problem it was reported that the disease spread to various animals including cats. When cats were diagnosed in the UK, European pet food manufacturers voluntarily agreed to restrict the use of 'at risk' materials from use in pet food. "In 1996, however, Agriculture Minister Angela Browning informed the House of Commons that 'mammalian meat and bone meal-powdered residue from culled and rendered cattle is used in pet food.' Labour Parliament member and microbiologist Martyn Jones called Browning's admission 'an astounding revelation. 'This stuff is so risky that they are not even allowed to bury it,' Jones stated. 'Yet they are getting rid of it by passing it on to pet food manufacturers.'

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The Ragdoll cat's origins are filled with wild and bizarre stories. The stories frequently contradict depending on who the storyteller is and much of it borders on the ridiculous. The factual part of the Ragdoll cat's beginnings is that breed was founded in 1960s California. The first Ragdoll breeder was a reclusive woman named Ann Baker that enjoyed telling stories about her cats. The very first Ragdoll was a white cat she named Josephine.

Baker saw a characteristic in the cat Josephine that became the hallmark of the breed. When Ann held Josephine the cat went limp in her arms like a rag doll. Ann Baker named the breed for this limp trait and filed for a trademark so she could collect royalties from anyone to breed her cats. She started a registry for breeding Ragdoll cats but lost control because of wild behaviors and story telling.

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Many pets are loved dearly by their owners and family. And each year hundreds of thousands of pet are put down because their families were unable to find the money for medical bills.

Today, pets enjoy access to much of the health technology that we would expect humans to have. Open heart surgery, radiation therapy, artificial limbs and even pace makers are now provided to pets in many parts of the world. This ensures that many pets are able to live longer, happier lives. However, it also means that the cost veterinarian bills have steadily increased over recent years,

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Did you know that every year your pet has a 1 in 3 chance of becoming ill or injured? According to pet health insurance statistics, your pet is mostly likely be in need of vet because of cuts or lacerations, followed by lameness, road traffic accident, cancerous tumor and an abscess. As veterinary bills continue to increase, more and more families are needing to euthanize their pets because they cannot afford the necessary treatment.

Pet health insurance can help cover the cost of these unexpected and unplanned visits to the vet. Below you will find some excellent reasons why you should buy pet health insurance.

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By: Kurt Schmitt

Cats and people come from very different worlds. As such, it's amazing that we can live together so well. These cat care tips cover subjects such as bringing out your kitty's hunting instincts, and preventing litter box problems. Following these tips will help you and your kitty to better bond and enjoy each other's company.

1. Lay your hands on your cat often - some cats just don't like to be picked up no matter what. But, if you can start handling your cat often when she's a kitten, chances are good she'll better accept it later in life. She'll also do better when it comes time to get checked by the vet or have her claws trimmed.

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