Chances are you already have this natural, inexpensive folk remedy in your cupboard – apple cider vinegar and white distilled vinegar. It’s time to start using them more, according to the popular book The Healing Powers of Vinegar: A Complete Guide to Nature’s Most Remarkable Remedy Revised and Updated (Kensington, September 2006). Here’s why.

1. Good Health: Holistic vet Bob Goldstein, VMD, of Westport, Connecticut, and coauthor of The Goldsteins’ Wellness & Longevity (TFH, 2005) says organic apple cider vinegar is good for kitty’s coat and cleansing its body of toxins. “The natural acidity helps regulate digestion, and the pectin helps keeps the intestines in good shape.”

Vinegar Rx: Add one tablespoon apple cider vinegar to kitty’s water bowl. (Consult your vet for how often.)

Why Kitty Will Purr: Vinegar is natural. Natural remedies can help promote good health and boost longevity.

2. Fleas and Ticks: Flea collars and sprays are full of poisons. Instead of using chemical insecticides (especially on a kitten), turn to vinegar, a less toxic method of flea control.

Vinegar Rx: Put one-fourth teaspoon of distilled white vinegar into each bowl of drinking water for your 10-pound cat; one-half teaspoon for a 20-pound cat.

Why Kitty Will Purr: Flea sprays are harsh and natural flea collars can include some ingredients that might cause an allergic reaction, whereas, vinegar is mild and a good alternative.

3. Kitty Accidents: While most cats can and will use the litter box – accidents happen. Blame it on a urinary tract woe, behavioral issue, a smelly box, or just because. Additionally, cats give their guardians fur balls and other droppings on our favorite bedspreads, clothes, furniture, carpets, and more.

Vinegar Rx: Spray distilled white vinegar ASAP on the fresh pet accident. Rub with a sponge from the center outward. Repeat as needed.

Why Kitty Will Purr: Not only will you be happy to clean up the mess without pricey products containing chemicals, your cat may sense that “Bad Cat!” words won’t be heard because vinegar does the trick.

4. Cat Litter Box: Dish soap contains chemicals. Other cleansers are too harsh. What to use? Vinegar, of course! It’s the perfect remedy to clean the box and zap the odor.

Vinegar Rx: Pour one or two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar into the box and scrub with hot water. Rinse.

Why Kitty Will Purr: A cat’s olfactory senses are strong; not only will they continue using the litter box like a good cat, they won’t be turned off by disturbing smells from strong cleaners.

5. Fat Blaster: Like people, cats, particularly middle-aged and senior ones, are prone to weight gain, especially if they don’t get enough exercise and are fed snacks, vets note. And, too much weight can cause or trigger health problems such as heart diseases and diabetes in pets. The good news is: you can help your feline stay trim and fit with supplements such as vinegar.

Vinegar Rx: Try one teaspoon organic (preferred by holistic vets, like Dr. Goldstein, for the best results to fight fat) apple cider vinegar in drinking water twice a day to help dissolve fats.

Why Kitty Will Purr: Rather than putting your cat on a treadmill or cutting down its food too fast, vinegar is a safe and gradual way to help pare pounds.

6. Immunity Booster: Did you know that research shows vinegar acts as a disease-fighting antioxidant in the bloodstream for humans? No doubt, it can also protect your cat’s immune system from damaging toxins, pollutants in the environment, or even fight cancer.

Vinegar Rx: Use one tablespoon apple cider vinegar in kitty’s water bowl.

Why Kitty Will Purr: As your cat ages, if it defies diseases and lives a longer, healthy life it is a given that contentment for both you and your cat will be the payoff.

THE VIRTUES OF VINEGAR AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD PETS Looking for a new, improved way to clean up for your menagerie? Vinegar to the rescue! Dogs: All canines can use a bath from time to time. After using a mild and natural shampoo, add about two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a pitcher of warm water, poured over your dog, and watch the remaining soap come out. It can add a shine to your pooch’s coat, too. Rabbits: “White vinegar is an inexpensive, safe way to clean your rabbit’s litter pan. Spritz the litter pan with white vinegar to clean and deodorize. Let the pan soak if there is a urine buildup and then rinse clean,” recommends Kim Copél, a small animal lover at Lake Tahoe. Fish: Ready to clean the fish aquarium but don’t know what to use? Don’t despair! Turn to all natural vinegar to do the job easy and fast. Take distilled white vinegar and mix it with water as you clean the tank. Rinse well and repeat.

Note: Make sure to check with your vet before using vinegar.

Cal Orey is the author of 202 Pet Peeves and The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes. She uses vinegar for her cat Kerouac, two Brittanys Simon, three, and Seth, two months, and two goldfish, Romeo and Juliet. For more animal-related information, go to www.calorey.com

Several factors influence this condition. Expectations, previous experiences, and the beliefs and related behaviors that have grown from these encounters set the stage for the type of relationships possible.

For example, I grew up with a dog and a cat. They got along wonderfully. Living with this positive experience placed an expectation in my mind that of course dogs and cats accommodate each other and live together very well.

What are your expectations about how your cats get along?

For a very long time information has been available regarding how strongly our thoughts, expectations, and beliefs actually affect and create the experiences we have. In understanding this phenomenon we have come a long way from Norman Vincent Peale and the power of positive thinking. So how does this apply to helping your critter kids develop harmonious relationships?

When we think we automatically form pictures in our mind's eye. If you're reviewing how your cat Maxie always pounces on Teddy, as you think these thoughts, you have a very detailed action film running through your mind. Animals see these mental pictures we inherently create and act on them. Simply because we think about a behavior our cat or dog has done he automatically thinks we want him to do more of that particular behavior. Why? Because we were concentrating on it, and what we focus on expands.

When working to improve the quality of a relationship between animals always focus on and think about the result you actually want to see occur. If you catch your thoughts wandering, take a breath and refocus.

Review the image in your mind of Maxie resting quietly on the counter ignoring Teddy as he walks by. Then your cats will begin receiving fresh new information regarding your expectations of them.

Even complaining or worrying about unwanted behaviors also funnels energy towards continuing them. Put a smile on your lips, feel it on your face, and think about what you want to create. Thoughts have energy, and energy creates our reality.

Previous experiences our animals have had is one way that they learn. The familiarity of peaceful coexistence between different species has taught them that this is a way of life. Each animal has developed beliefs and behaviors illustrating the kitten lying down with the canine.

But what about introducing a newcomer who has radically different beliefs and behaviors?

Before bringing a new animal into the family always talk to your critter kid family explaining all the details. Choose words that paint very clear pictures describing why Puff needs a new home. Assure everyone that there is plenty of love for everyone. Instruct each individual in their role of helping make the new family member welcome.

It's also a good idea to have and use Animal Emergency Care, or a comparable flower essence blend, to help relax the emotional energy present when changes are occurring. Even a peaceful shift can be stressful.

When I have brought a new kitty home I carried him in the house inside the cat carrier and placed the carrier, with the cat inside, on the couch. I sat nearby as the dogs pushed against the couch, extending their necks to sniff at the carrier – their curiosity satisfied. The pack liked the idea of a new cat in the family, readily accepted him, and moved on.

Approach the kitty introductions patiently. With the newcomer still in the carrier, bring your resident cat over and begin talking with them. Use words that create pictures while describing what good friends they can be. Feel the relaxed sensation of what it is like to be with an interesting new friend.

These satisfying emotions will influence your cats toward developing a positive relationship with each other.

However, when even the most thoughtful and slow-paced introductions fail at generating compatible relationships it may be time to seek assistance.

5. Cheetahs are the most easily-tamed of all the big cat species. They have been used as hunting animals by ancient Egyptian pharaohs and Italian Renaissance princes. You can actually train a cheetah to sleep on your bed with you. Only in relatively rare circumstances would a cheetah be dangerous to humans.

6. The average cheetah litter is three cubs. Cheetah cubs have approximately a two-out-of-three survival rate in the wild. Cheetahs have an average life expectancy of eight to 10 years in the wild, and 12 to 16 years in captivity.

7. The tiger might be the poster cat for wildlife conservation, but the cheetah is currently the most endangered big cat species. Cheetahs once flourished as far north as Egypt, and as far east as India. Their range, due to hunting, poaching, and the destruction of their natural habitat, is now limited to Sub-Saharan Africa. Approximately 1,000 cheetahs live in South Africa, 1,000 in Botswana, and the largest number, 3,000 to 5,000 in Namibia. Cheetahs have recently been reintroduced in small numbers to Zambia.

8. Cheetahs, unlike other big cat species, have enemies other than humans. Lions, leopards, and hyenas have all been known to prey upon cheetahs and their cubs.

9. Cheetahs, unlike other big cat species, purr (loudly), rather than roar.

My own interest in cheetahs was started by a visit to the Animal Ark back in June. I went there at first to glean information and photographs for an article about bobcats. It was only after Bob wouldn’t cooperate when it came to having his picture taken, that I noticed the cheetahs. The Animal Ark’s weekly “Cheetah Chat,” where live cheetahs could be seen close-up, proved quite informative. I was unable to make it back to watch their Cheetah Challenge, where cheetahs get a chance to show off their running abilities on a course similar to that used in dog racing. Thanks to the good folks at Animal Ark, though, I was able to attend a presentation of the deWildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust, Ltd., at Reno’s National Automobile Museum on July 8.

This presentation, hosted by Animal Ark, had two live cheetahs, Moyo and Jamar, on display, as well as some samples of local fauna, namely the peregrine falcon and Nevada desert tortoise. The guest of honor (who really stole the show) was Vanessa Bouwer, assistant director of the deWildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust in South Africa. Vanessa, an expert on African wildlife and conservation, gave a slideshow presentation on cheetahs and the history of the efforts of the deWildt Trust (established in 1971) to save these beautiful animals (and others) from extinction. Their mission: “To ensure the long-term survival of predators, specifically the cheetah and African wild dog, in their natural environment.” Their tireless work over the past 35 years has allowed these species and others to thrive in the wild in spite of human depredations. Receiving very little in the way of financial support from the South African government, deWildt (like Animal Ark) is almost entirely dependent upon donations and volunteer work. For further information, check out their Web site at www.dewildt.org.za

John Tuomala is a former U.S. Army soldier and Reserve officer with no previous writing experience. A hard-core cat lover, he lives and works here in Reno, NV

As I watched, it tickled something deep inside of me that made me want to learn more about cats. From then on, I saw every cat in a totally different light. I was hungry for knowledge about different breeds and the feline fancy in general. I learned about feral cats and that there was an overpopulation problem. I found that volunteering my time helped me to learn more, but the things that I had learned only proved to me that I could and needed to do more.

That’s when I found The Silver Cats Club. At first, I thought that cat clubs were just groups of people that gathered to talk about their cats – a cat fan club. I was invited to my first cat club meeting after attending a local cat show. I was welcomed into the group and the enlightening began. Not only did these people talk about cats, but they also hit on the subject of what could we all do to help felines.

The Silver Cats Club is a nonprofit organization, associated with The International Cat Association (TICA) that produces International Championship cat shows to help raise funds for animal assistance organizations such as the Nevada Humane Society, Animal Ark, and Community Cats. The Silver Cats Club also educates the public about feline overpopulation, animal abuse, and about cats in general by speaking at schools and senior centers.

The club is open to anyone interested in cats. They welcome all ages. Individual dues are $15 per year and family dues are $25 per year. Members are not required to be members of TICA, but is appreciated. For more information on The Silver Cats Club, TICA, or the annual International Championship Cat Show, please contact Natalie Sera at 775-746-0204.

The Household Pet Cat

The day I went to the Humane Society and brought home Domino, my black and white cat, everybody said he was too beautiful to be a boy and that he should be shown. My first question was: “How can I show this cat, he’s from the Humane Society?” Well, did I ask a loaded question! I found out that TICA offers a whole division to these wonderful non pedigreed cats.

Unlike their purebred counterparts, household pets (HHP) are judged on looks, personality, health, and cleanliness among other things. There’s no breed standard, so the judges are free to choose the cat that they feel is the best – whether it is the cat with the moustache or the one with the shiny, fluffy coat.

Any cat can be shown as a HHP. TICA allows a cat or kitten to be shown once before it is registered to allow the cat owner a chance to see if their cat is upset by the show situation or if they are a happy cat.

If you have a cat at home that you think is beautiful, and you think you might like to show, please call Natalie Sera of the Reno Silver Cats Club at 775-746-0204.

The Maine Coon Cat

The Maine coon cat, also known as the “gentle giant” of the cat fancy world, is the largest purebred cat today. They have a presence about them that lends them to be called majestic, while still being sociable, gentle, and affectionate. This well-balanced, robust cat can reach a weight of about 22 pounds and a length of about 40 inches. They are truly a wonder to behold.

With their shaggy coat and ear tufts, the Maine coon can resemble the American bobcat that so many legends say contributed to this breed. Other legends say that a raccoon had a part in it, being that the brown tabby color is the most common naturally occurring feline color. More likely cats that arrived from overseas bred with other cats and thus created this hardy, intelligent cat.