Articles written by Pamela Merritt - Page 2

What is Helium

About me - Pamela Merritt

I have a degree in Psychology and a special interest in human behavior, especially interactions with their pets.

Since I feel cats are the most misunderstood pet, I have made them my particular focus. I draw on my years of cat rescue experience.

The Way of Cats
http://wayofcats.com/blog

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Pets & Animals > Dogs (Other) Dogs: Selling mixed breeds: 2 of 11
Think about it for a minute. What's a purebred? What's a mixed breed?At this point in time, purebred dogs are recognized breeds that mate to produce reliably predictable results. But remember; they didn't start out that way. Every breed we have now got that way by mixing.Louis Doberman, to name just one example, created the d... More..
Pets & Animals > Animal Rescue & Adoption Tips for raising a rescued kitten: 4 of 19
There are many sources for kittens, but most of them can result in a less than optimum early life. Getting a purebred kitten from a breeder or a concerned family confronted with an unexpected cat pregnancy should mean we are getting a kitten whose mother got prenatal care and had early experiences with ample socialization and... More..
Pets & Animals > Animal Rescue & Adoption Tips for adopting a second cat: 5 of 18
The Second Cat is the trickiest known cat maneuver. That is why many savvy cat shelters are urging, or even requiring, that prospective adopters take home two at the outset. That's because cats are highly territorial, and will regard any new cat as a potential rival. If two cats arrive at the same place at the same time, it i... More..
Pets & Animals > Animal Rescue & Adoption Tips for adopting the right cat for you: 5 of 15
To get the right cat, we first must decide what kind of cat we want. Kittens are delightful and cuddly but require more time and patience than some first timers can muster. Adults are great starter cats because it is easier to develop communication skills. Things we like in kittens are also found in adult cats. Either are jus... More..
Pets & Animals > Cat Training Why cats are difficult to train: 3 of 9
Cats aren't difficult to train. Cats are impossible to train.However, cats can usually be persuaded. And that's how we have to think of it.It's possible to use praise and disapproval with cats, especially when they are a) past the kitten stage and able to concentrate and b) have a good relationship with us, so that they care ... More..
Pets & Animals > Cat Psychology Feline superiority complex: 3 of 9
Is there a Feline Superiority Complex? Not really.People who don't understand cats find themselves unnerved by the cat's stare, their unwavering assumption that humans are there to take care of their needs, and their seeming indifference to affection. They think this means the cat thinks they are superior. But it does not.The... More..
Pets & Animals > Cat Care & Health How to get your cat to eat healthily: 1 of 3
Many of the reasons cats have a well-deserved reputation as fussy eaters is hardwired into their brains. As predators, they rely on their mother to teach them what is good to eat. In adolescence, the cat goes out on their own, confident of what is good for them. Once this window closes, it's hard to open it again.Cats also ha... More..
Pets & Animals > Cat Care & Health How to save money on cat care: 6 of 10
Some cat expenses are essential, some are not, and some are optional. How can we tell the difference? The key is recognizing a sensible investment. All the money we might spend on our cats are for bonds which pay off in love. So we must invest with that return in mind.If we have our heart set on a particular breed, we should ... More..
Pets & Animals > Cat Psychology How to deal with your cat when it's angry with you: 11 of 17
There is a kind of cat where people say, "The cat is crazy! They come by, wanting affection, and then bam!"Aggressive cats exhibit their hostile behavior when they feel overwhelmed. Once the response is in place, it doesn't matter if the cat is actually cornered or being attacked. If the cat feels overwhelmed in any way, they... More..
Pets & Animals > Cat Training How to train your cat to use a scratching post: 2 of 3
Cat paws are marvels of engineering. Cats actually walk on their toes, and the retractable claws are hidden to keep them sharp and also to not betray their stealthy approach to prey. Claws are one of the cat's special hunting tools, and so they will devote a certain amount of their time to their maintenance.Cats are sharpenin... More..