Domestic Shorthair- The Facts Every Owner Of This Breed Should Know

Descended from ‘working cats’ that came to America on ships like the Mayflower to hunt rats, selective breeding resulted in today s Domestic Short Hair. The Domestic Short Hair cat was renamed the American Short Hair in 1966 to better reflect this breed s heritage. Today, the name ‘Domestic Short Hair’ is given to cats whose parentage is in question. Adult male Domestic Short Hairs will reach an average weight of 11 to 15 pounds, but females will only weigh 8 to 12 pounds. They are considered fully mature at 3 to 4 years of age and can live 15 to 20 years.

The American Short Hair coat can come in many colors in patterns. In fact, almost 80 different patterns of colors are recognized in this breed. It is an all weather coat that is dense but won t mat. It should be brushed regularly to remove the dead hairs if the cat will not groom itself.

There are also as many different personality characteristics in Domestic Short Hairs from the stereotypical aloofness to the surprisingly friendly and social. This is a fairly healthy breed (part of its working cat parentage), so it is a relatively low maintenance breed, requiring nothing more than routine health care. However, some Domestic Short Hairs are prone to overeating, so it is important to give them plenty of opportunity to exercise and play. Those that cannot (or will not) engage in exercise will need to have its diet monitored closely to avoid potential problems with obesity.

There is a website that has great information on Domestic Short Hair and most other breeds of cats. It has details that pertain to a cat breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2006

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

About The Author
Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25 years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970’s-80’s.

RB59.COM Software
http://www.rb59.com/software

Cat Allergy- What Can I Do, I Love Cats?

According to a recent report, between six and ten million people (that’s approximately two percent of the population!) in the United States are allergic to cats or exhibit symptoms of cat allergy. However, people often misunderstand these symptoms. Majority believe that cat allergy are caused by allergens from the fur or cat dander (scales of the skin), when, in fact, most of the potent allergens come mainly from saliva and sweat.

A cat’s saliva or sweat contains a protein with a carbohydrate structure called “Fel d 1.” It is an allergen that causes symptoms of cat allergy. “Fel d 1” is much smaller than pollen or mold spores, which are already very potent allergens because of their diminutive size, but because of its much smaller size, “Fel d 1” has even greater potential to cause an allergic reaction. “Fel d 1” can easily bypass nasal passages and lodges deep in the lungs, where it can cause allergic episodes and asthma.

Like pollen and mold spores, “Fel d 1” are airborne allergens. They are often microscopic and float in the air easily. After a cat licks itself while grooming, “Fel d 1” allergen is deposited on its fur and once that happens, the dried specks of saliva can float off and drift around your home. The protein allergen can be found anywhere as aside from being airborne, it attaches itself to walls, windows, and furniture. What is even more amazing is that this allergen can remain in your home for years after a cat leaves your home. So if you want to remove the allergen from your home to protect yourself from cat allergy, everything would have to be totally cleaned.

Symptoms

Like most allergies, cat allergy can affect your eyes, nose, ears, throat, lungs, and skin. The symptoms, especially respiratory reactions, usually occur between fifteen and forty minutes after one is exposed. However, note that pet-related allergies like cat allergy can take days from initial exposure for its onset.

The most common symptoms associated with cat allergy are:

* Red, itchy, or swollen eyes
* Reddened areas on the skin
* Runny nose
* Nasal congestion
* Sneezing
* Ears that become stuffed up or itchy
* Post nasal drip
* Itching and hoarseness in the throat
* Frequent bronchitis
* Coughing and wheezing

How to Control Cat Allergy

Always the best way to control allergic reactions is avoidance method. However, majority of people with cat allergy often ignore medical advice and continue to keep at least one cat at home even after diagnosis of their condition. We all love our cats and we want to protect them, but you should think about yourself once in a while. Below are some tips to help you control your cat allergy even while keeping a cat home:

* Use reputable allergy relief and avoidance products at home

* Since “Fel d 1” allergens float in the air, having a source of fresh air will reduce the allergen. Improve ventilation in your house by using an air conditioner even during humid months.

* Use a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter to reduce particles of cat allergen in your home.

If symptoms persist even after following the tips provided above, then perhaps it’s time for you to consult a doctor for his advice on proper medication or immunotherapy.

About The AuthorHans-Ole Wandt is a very known environmental inventor. He have started a site called http://www.health-information.info. He will come with some very unique system for the net, in the future.

 

 

 

Facts About Cats

Cats are very interesting members of the animal kingdom. Some of them roam wild in the forests and jungles while others prefer a life of domesticity in our homes. Wherever they choose to live, cats are fascinating and possess some exquisite characteristics. How much do you know about cats?

Did you know that cats can see 6 times better than human beings? According to studies, it is during night time when a cats vision really comes into its own.

Cats are to be found anywhere in the world, from sweltering Africa to icy cold Greenland; they may look very different or have different characteristics according to their environment.

Just like dogs, cats can swim; they are not very keen on water so very rarely do this, apart from the Turkish Van Cat.

Cats can sleep for up to eighteen hours a day.

There are several different breeds of cats, and some of them are very unusual;

One breed inspired ancient Egyptians and was worshipped as a god. This is the Sphynx cat- it is totally hairless.

There are the Manx cats which originate from the Isle of Man- they do not have tails, some of them may have a short ’stub’.

The Scottish Fold has ears which are permanently folded over.

The Devon Rex has a dense, curly coat.

There is a new breed of cat called the ‘Munchkin’- they have very short legs, but cat societies are reluctant to acknowledge them as a breed due to the fact that the short legs are often considered a deformity.

Who does not know which is the fastest land animal? The Cheetah is of course- another member of the cat family.

There are also fishing cats which are adept at catching fish.

These tidbits are just some of the cool things about cats. You can always use the power of the internet to study more about our feline friends.