There's no question that our cats are full-fledged family members. Their loyalty, their love, and their ability to comfort us are unparalleled. Sometimes, though, their hair or odors can leave an unwelcome footprint in our homes. Just as we clean up the spills made by our kids (or our spouses!), it's up to us to clean up after our cats. Luckily, there are any number of products that make pet care a breeze.

Cats need play time and not just the kind where they seem to be chasing some unidentifiable object or another member of the feline family at warp speed through the house. Cats also need interactive play. This is where your participation is needed.

It is not easy to imagine that the graceful cat, that always falls standing, can have a serious health problem. Well, it does and the worst thing about it is that these problems are usually not obvious, but they can become serious. Cat food is one of the factors that can influence a feline’s health. If you do not use the right amount and composition, there can be unpleasant consequences for your cat.

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial disease caused by Bartonella henselae. Most people with CSD have been bitten or scratched by a cat and developed a mild infection at the point of injury. Lymph nodes, especially those around the head, neck, and upper limbs, become swollen. Additionally, a person with CSD may experience fever, headache, fatigue, and a poor appetite. Rare complications of B. henselae infection are bacillary angiomatosis and Parinaud's oculolandular syndrome.

If you're a cat lover like me, there's little that's more important than the good health of your favorite feline. It goes without saying that part of being a cat lover is accepting responsibility for your cat's well-being. That means finding and building a good relationship with a local veterinarian in case of an emergency. It also means learning enough about common health issues to be able to identify them and take the required action to ensure your cat's good health.

Cat owners are sometimes faced with emergency situations involving their cats without the presence or guidance of their veterinarian.  Animals can get sick or require first aid any place at any time. If you as a cat owner have the knowledge of basic pet first aid, then the care, treatment and prognosis for your pet will improve significantly. The following is a list of guidelines you can use when presented with an injured or ill pet.