Writers’ Paradise

Cats need healthy diets of suitable food. They are meat eaters and like to hunt as they would in the wild. But they should eat prepared pet food.
The Right Food for Your Cat: You will find a wide range of cat foods at pet shops and supermarkets. Most of these contain everything your cat needs, including essential vitamins- look for the words ‘ Complete’ and Balanced. If you have a kitten, buy special kitten food- kittens need more protein and fat than adult cats.
Read the instructions on the tin or packet carefully.
Vary the kind of food you give your cat- look for different flavors and types.
Occasionally offer some boneless fish or fresh meat, but make any changes to your cat’s diet gradual.
Don’t give your cat sugary, salty or spicy foods.
Don’t give your cat lots of milk- this can cause stomach upsets, so only offer it as a special treat.
Don’t give your cat chicken bones- it might choke on the small pieces.
If your cat is alone all day, try leaving it some dried food which won’t go off or attract flies. Dried food can also help to clean your cat’s teeth.
Pet cats eat grass to help their digestion. You may also see them stalking through gardens in search of mice and other small animals. Even well-fed pets hunt, although they might not eat their victims.
Cats prefer to snack rather than have big meals, so give your cat small amounts of food regularly according to its appetite. Try to feed it at the same times and in the same place each day, Give your cat its own bowl and wash it after every meal.
Cats like to be left alone when they eat. Feed them in a quiet place, away from their bed and their litter tray.

Cats have their own daily routine and favorite activities. You can learn a lot about the behavior of your your cat by watching it go about its business.
Work, rest and play: Cats enjoy their sleep- they doze in cosy places for much of the day. In the wild they are mostly active at night. Pet cats too, are often up and about during the night. This is usually when they wander around to inspect and protect their home territory. They may be aggressive towards other cats that come near, hissing and spitting to warn them off.
Curious cats: Cats always like to know what is going on around them. they love to perch somewhere with a good view, such as a windowsill, chair or the roof of a parked car. Many cats sit for hours in front of TV! Even when a cat appears to be dozing, it is actually alert and stays aware of its surroundings. Its sharp senses mean it can detect the slightest sound or movement and is ready to wake up in an instant.
Cat talk: The most common cat sounds are purring and miaowing. Purring is usually a sign that the cat is happy,but sometimes cats purr if they are afraid or in pain. Miaowing is a more demanding noise- your cat might miaow when its hungry or just wants attention. Hissing and growling are sounds of anger or fear.
I have written a post on cats in history on my another blog, which is here.

House can be dangerous places for cats, make sure yours is safe. Here are some do’s and dont’s.
Do’s: Tke special care if your live in a high flat or near a busy road. Keep doors shut and consider putting mesh on windows that are open a lot.
Check that you don’t have plants that are poisonous to cats. Most common of them are: alfalafa,almond, many varieties of cherry, daffodil, misteltoe, marigold etc.
Make sure that everybody in your family puts away potential hazards, such as poisonous cleaning fluids, sharp knives etc.
Buy a scratching post to stop your cat damaging furniture at home.
Fit a cat flap in your door. Cats love exploring outside, where they can get some exercise and go to toilet. Your cat can use the flap to pop in and out when it wants.
Dont’s: Don’t leave electrical cables lying about-tuck them away so your cat can’t chew them and get an electric shock.
Don’t turn on the washing machine without checking your cat hasn’t climbed inside.
Don’t leave human food uncovered on table or units-your cat could jump up and eat it, which is unhealthy.
Don’t display a precious object where your cat can jump up and accidentally knock it off.

Knowing about dog breeds will help you when you choose a pet dog. Purebred dos are bred over many generations to look alike. Mixed-breed dogs are a combination of different breeds.

Terriers: Terriers are small, tough and lively- they were originally bred for hunting rats and mice. Their lively personalities make them appealing as pets, though they can be aggressive sometimes. Examples: Border terrier, Jack Russel, Yorkshire Terrier.

Toy Dogs: toy dogs are small dogs bred to be people’s companions. They have strong characters and are often noisy, but they don’t need as much exercise as the bigger breeds. Examples: Chihuahua, Pug, Pekingese.
Hounds: Hounds were bred to chase and hunt animals. These medium-to-large dogs are usually very friendly, but they need a lot of exercise. Examples: Greyhound, Beagle.
Working Dogs: Working dogs are traditional guard and rescue dogs. Although loyal and intelligent, they do not make ideal first pets as they are often large and strong, and can be over- protective. Examples: Boxer, Doberman, St Bernard.
Pastoral Dogs: Pastoral dogs are best known for herding sheep and cattle. They are intelligent, easy to train and have lots of energy. As pets they may get bored and restless if they don’t have enough to do. Examples: Collie, German Shepherd.
Gun Dogs: Gun dogs were originally bred to help hunters retrieve shot-down game. Many of them are co-operative and make great family pets, as long as they get plenty of exercise. Examples: Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever
Utility Dogs: Utility dogs have been bred over the years for different purposes. They include a variety of breeds that don’t fit into any of the other groups. Examples: Bulldog, Dalmatian, Poodle
Mixed Breeds: Mixed breed dogs ( or mongrels) are mixtures of two or more breeds. They tend to be healthier than purebreds; they are also cheaper to buy and generally make good pets. However it is often difficult to predict their final size and temperament.

Before you bring your new pet rabbit home, you need to make sure you have everything they will need. The most important thing they need are somewhere to live and somewhere to exercise.
Hutch : Most people keep their rabbit in a wooden hutch. An outdoor hutch has legs to keep it off damp ground and a sloping roof so rain runs off it. Place it somewhere out of strong wind, rain and sun, and safe from other animals. Move hutch to a sheltered place in cold weather. Rabbit hutches two parts. One side has a solid wooden door to stop draughts and to make a private area. The other side has a wire mesh front to let in fresh air. It also lets the rabbits see out.

Flooring and bedding: Before you put your rabbit in to the hutch, line the floor with newspaper and cover that with wood shavings. It is comfortable and soaks urine too. Then put hay or shredded paper into the sleeping side of the hutch. Your rabbit will use this to make itself a bed! Do not use straw for the bedding. Straw has sharp edges that can injure a rabbit’s eyes. Don’t use cedar wood shavings because they can harm your rabbit. If you have a long haired rabbit, do not use wood shavings on the floor. Shavings get tangled in the rabbit’s fur and cause knots.

Wire and plastic cages: Some people keep their rabbits indoors. Indoor rabbits need a cage to sleep and rest in, where they can feel safe and hidden. Indoor rabbit cages usually have a deep plastic or metal base and a hard wire top. They are light-weight and easy to clean. Choose as large a cage as possible and add flooring just as you would for an outdoor hutch. Put hay bedding in a wooden or cardboard box for the rabbit to sleep in.
Put your rabbit cage somewhere out of sun, away from draughts or heaters, and out of reach of any other pets you have.

Litter trays: When your rabbits are playing in your house, you need to give them a litter tray to be their toilet. Most rabbits are very clean animals and you can easily train then to use a plastic litter tray.
Put the tray in a quiet spot and line it with newspaper covered with hay or pet litter. Don’t use cat litter, because it is bad for rabbits.

Outdoor Runs: Rabbits are lively animals that need several hours of exercise every day. Rabbits like to exercise outdoors in the fresh air. Runs or pens keep rabbits safe outside. You can buy one or make your own, but make sure you get a run that is large and has four sides, a roof, and a floor. The roof stops your rabbits jumping out and tops other animals from getting in. A wire mesh floor prevent them from digging their way out. Many runs have a covered end where the rabbit can hide from bad weather. If yours doesn’t, you must put the run somewhere under shelter or fix up a cover over one end.