| How to Clean an Orphaned Kitten Posted: 06 Jun 2018 05:00 PM PDT An orphaned kitten is helpless, vulnerable, and unable to take care of its most basic needs. As a new cat owner, you must care for the kitten's personal hygiene needs, since the cat's mother is not around to wash the kitten. Keeping orphaned kittens clean reduces their risk of disease. Bathing the kitten also teaches it how to groom itself and is an important part of the bonding process between the two of you. The kitten would be typically be bathed by its mother, who would use her tongue to clean the kitten and stimulate it to go to the bathroom. Since the mother isn't around, you'll need to replicate the actions that she'd perform. EditReplicating a Mother's Cleaning - Spot-clean the kitten if it's only mildly dirty. Unless the kitten has been rolling in mud, spot-cleaning will clean the kitten perfectly well. Orphaned kittens are very messy. Under normal circumstances, the mother cat would provide the cleaning, but without the mother present, the task falls to you. A daily cleaning of the kitten's body and rear end will help keep your kitten content and clean.[1]
- Wiping the kitten with a damp cloth will also simulate the tongue bath it would normally receive from its mother.
- Wet a soft, dry cloth with lukewarm water. Make sure that the towel is not rough and will not irritate your kitten. Then, wet the towel in lukewarm water. Use a hand to wring the towel out before beginning to clean the kitten. This will result in the wet cloth being roughly the same temperature that the mother's tongue would be.[2]
- Special kitten shampoos are available in most pet shops, but water is usually enough unless the kitten is particularly dirty. If you're unsure whether or not you should routinely wash the kitten with a specific shampoo, consult your vet.
- Gently wipe your kitten in the direction their fur grows. It is best to start from the fore legs and face and move to the back, abdomen, and finish with the hindquarter. Use short, repetitive strokes. Aim to cover about of the kitten's body with each wipe, and wipe each section of its body 2 or 3 times. This will replicate the method which the mother cat would use to bathe her kittens.
- Take special care during the cleaning of hindquarter as kittens are unable to clean this area by themselves. It also is the area that gets dirtiest.
- Spot-clean any additional dirty spots. Once you've cleaned the majority of the kitten's body, look for any additional spots of fur that are soiled. (They could be matted with mud or feces, for example). Use you damp cloth to rub back and forth in increments over the soiled spot.[3] Once the kitten is clean, blot the excess water with a dry towel to prevent illness due to being chilled.
- Since the cloth you've used to clean the kitten were only slightly wet to begin with, the kitten's fur should be mostly dry when you're finished.
- If the fur is still damp, dry is by lightly pressing the wet patch with a dry towel.
- Wipe the rear end of young kittens after each feeding. Kittens less than 3 weeks old need to have their anus and genitals stimulated in order to urinate and defecate. This should be done right after the kittens' meal time. After the kitten has eaten, massage its entire body, paying particular attention to the abdomen and genital region, with a clean, moist cloth.[4]
- This task would usually be performed by the kitten's mother. Since the kitten is an orphan, however, it's your responsibility. Without this wiping beneath the tail, the kittens would be unable to excrete.
- Massage beneath the kittens' tail until they urinate and defecate. Use short, repetitive strokes to massage the kitten's anus and urinary opening. These strokes mimic the strokes of the mother cat's tongue, were she there to bathe the kittens herself.[5]
- Since kittens will poop and pee right into the cloth you're rubbing them with, you may prefer to use a disposable paper towel.
- Kittens develop the ability to go to the bathroom by themselves at around 3 weeks of age, when you can start litter training.
EditDry Brushing the Kitten - Brush the kitten's coat if it doesn't need a thorough washing. Using a comb or brush is a commonly practiced method for cleaning an orphaned kitten. Brushing helps to stimulate subcutaneous blood circulation and may improve the condition of its skin. Brushing should also mimic the mother's tongue as she would use it to clean the kitten were it not orphaned.
- This method is inappropriate for rescued kittens if they are too dirty and soiled. However, if your kitten isn't very dirty and there doesn't seem to be any contamination to the fur, you can easily clean it by brushing.
- Visit a pet store to purchase a brush for your kitten. Take a careful look at the skin and fur of your orphaned kitten to detect the presence of fleas before selecting the right brush for your kitten. If the kitten does have fleas, you'll need to purchase a fine-toothed flea comb.[6] If the kitten has no fleas, an ordinary pet brush will work well to clean it.
- The presence of even a few fleas on a kitten can lead to serious disease, but most chemical flea products are too strong to use on kittens. Talk to your veterinarian for advice.
- Consult with your local vet if you are confused about which brush to select for your kitten.
- Brush your kitten in the direction of its hair from head to tail. Brushing a kitten in the reverse direction can cause unnecessary irritation and hair loss for your kitten. Move the brush through the fur using short strokes, each about long. This will mimic the way the mother cat would move its tongue when cleaning the kitten. Brush its whole body thoroughly including the abdomen, back, and hindquarters.
- Make sure to clean your brush periodically during the process as dirt and hair may clump on it and make it less effective.
- Keep the kitten calm while you're brushing it. Were the kitten being groomed by its mother, it would feel safe and warm. Replicate this with the orphaned kitten holding it gently (never squeeze the kitten). Avoid making any sharp or sudden movements, especially when you're holding the kitten. Brush it calmly and slowly, and speak to the kitten using a calm, soothing voice when you're grooming it.
- The kitten may seem nervous during the first few brushings, but will soon calm down once it begins to trust you.
EditBathing a Dirty or Flea-Infested Kitten - Prepare the kitten's bath supplies. Clean the kitten straightaway if it's very dirty and covered with mud, dirt, or other detritus. Leaving a kitten in a soiled condition for too long will be uncomfortable for it and can lead to a rash.[7] Cleaning a heavily soiled kitten will mean giving it a bath rather than just a simple wipe down with a flannel. Prepare the supplies before you begin bathing the kitten. Here's what you'll need:
- A clean flannel and towel(s).
- Mild hand soap (no harsh chemicals or cleaners).
- A basin or sink.
- Consult with your veterinarian about products to use if your kitten has fleas.
- Run the tap water to adjust the temperature of the water. The water temperature should be about .[8] This temperature will help the kitten stay warm and keep it comfortable. To gauge the water's temperature, touch the water with your hand, place it on your wrist, and feel the degree of temperature on your own skin.
- It is important to keep the water at a reasonable temperature. The kitten's skin is sensitive. Water that is too hot can burn the skin easily, while cold water can reduce the kitten's body temperature.
- Fill a basin or sink halfway with warm water. Fill the basin until it's about full before your kitten gets introduced to the water. Do not submerge your orphaned kitten in too much water because it may be too weak to keep itself from drowning. Use your hand to wet the kitten's hind quarters and lower belly, rather than submerging it in water.[9]
- Wet the kitten gently, and use slow, smooth movements while you're handling the kitten. This will help it feel safe.
- After you've supported the kitten in the sink for a few days, try letting it stand in the water for a few seconds at a time.
- Wash a flea-free kitten with a mild pet shampoo. Begin by squeezing a small amount of shampoo on a cloth. Gently rub shampoo over the kitten's whole body, not forgetting to clean its face, abdomen, legs, and back.[10] Start shampooing its head and move down to the back, belly, and tail. Try to remove the feces or urine excreta from the fur by rubbing it out with the cloth.
- Keep water and soap out of the kitten's eyes, ears and face. This could irritate sensitive areas and scare the kitten.
- Rinse the kitten off completely. After spreading the shampoo on your kitten's body, rinse it thoroughly by using a cup of water and pouring it slowly over the kitten's neck and back. Use a damp cloth to clean the soap off of the kitten's face. Move gingerly to help the kitten feel safe, and avoid splashing water in its eyes.[11]
- Do not place the kitten's head directly under the tap. This will startle the kitten and make it more difficult to control during future bath times.
- If the kitten seems nervous or afraid, speak to it in a calming voice.
- Wrap the kitten in a towel when you're done. Bathing the kitten should only take 5–10 minutes. Once you've finished, dry the body of your kitten with a dry towel. Then wrap the kitten with another soft and dry towel and put it in a warm place until dry. If the kitten seems cold or is shivering, hold it against your body to keep it calm and warm it up.
- You can rub the soft towel on the direction of kitten's hair to hasten the drying process. This will also build up friction and warm the kitten.
- It may be helpful to have a friend help you as you clean your kitten. This will allow one of you to focus on cleaning while the other helps to keep the kitten calm.
- If your kitten has fleas, talk with your veterinarian about how to get rid of the parasites. The vet will most likely recommend a specific anti-flea shampoo that you can wash the kitten with. Brushing helps remove fleas in wild rescued kittens.[12] Never use a flea shampoo on a kitten without talking to a vet, as the chemicals can be toxic to small kittens.
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| How to Make a Gravel Garden Posted: 06 Jun 2018 09:00 AM PDT A gravel garden is a beautiful landscape fixture that's easy to create and maintain, even for new landscapers. If you're looking to put a gravel garden in your yard, you can tackle the project quickly and easily by adjusting the soil, laying the weed membrane, and spreading the gravel in the garden! EditAdjusting the Soil - Pull weeds and remove all plants from the garden. Carefully remove the plants that you want to keep and place them to the side of the garden or in pots temporarily. When digging up the plants you want to keep, be sure not to sever any of the roots or separate the root ball at the bottom of the plant.[1]
- If you're going to be doing the project over a few days, wrap the roots of the plant in a plastic bag and mist them with water to keep them alive.
- Removing the weeds before you begin working will keep them from growing back once you lay the gravel.
- Till the soil with compost or manure to encourage growth. Adding compost or manure to your gravel garden will improve the soil composition and make it easier for the plants to grow there. Use a rake or garden till to dig about into the ground and mix the dirt and compost or manure together.[2]
- If you come across any large stones, put them to the side to incorporate into the gravel.
- You can find compost or manure at most home improvement stores or nurseries, or you can make your own compost pile at home.
- Dig a border around the garden and add an edger to improve drainage. If you have heavy soil, such as clay, you'll need some extra drainage for the garden. Get enough edger, which is a metal strip, to border your entire gravel garden. Bury it deep so it's level with or just above the ground. The edger will define a permanent border between the gravel garden and your lawn or other garden beds and keep the gravel in place.
- Then, dig a border about wide and deep around the garden inside the edger. Fill the border with gravel to increase air in the soil and remove excess water that the plants can't use.[3]
- For gardens with regular soil, this step isn't necessary, but adding a border won't hurt your garden if you like the look of it.
EditPlanting with a Weed Membrane - Measure the area of the garden and cut the weed membrane to size. Most weed membrane comes in large strips. Simply roll out the membrane and cut it to fit the shape of your garden. Be sure to use sharp scissors because the membrane can sometimes be difficult to cut. Then, lay the next strip with about of overlap on the sides.
- Try to keep the membrane in straight lines to avoid wasting any material.
- Secure the membrane with weights or pins at overlapping points. To hold the membrane in place, you can use larger rocks that you've gathered, or special landscape staples. Place the rocks or staples about apart on the overlapping areas of the membrane.[4]
- You can find landscape staples at most home improvement stores, or you can order them in bulk online. The number of staples needed will depend on the size of your garden and how many pieces of weed membrane you'll use.
- Select the plants that you'd like to have in your garden. Cacti, succulents, grasses, daisies, Mediterranean plants, and many herbs will thrive in the gravel garden because they require less water than other plants. Look for plants like lavender, yucca, lilies, juniper trees, lilacs, or stonecrop at your local nursery or home improvement store.[5]
- If you have soil with a lot of clay in it, select larger and more established plants to ensure that their roots will attach to the soil when you plant them.
- Position your plants and cut the membrane where you will plant them. Once the membrane is in place, you can organize your garden how you'd like. Place your plants in groups of 2-3 different flowers or shrubs that look good together. Then, use scissors to cut a cross in the soil that is big enough to fit the roots of the plant when the flaps are folded back.[6]
- For an eye-catching look, pair flowers, like lilies, with large shrubs, like juniper trees, to create a pop of color when the flowers bloom.
- Try to avoid planting smaller plants, like stonecrop, underneath of large bushes that might cast a shadow on them for part of the day.
- Make sure you give the plants enough space to grow to their full width! For most plants, their maximum size will be listed on the tag or you can look it up online.
- Avoid cutting a hole for the plant, because this makes the weed membrane useless in that area. Cutting a cross allows the membrane to be as close to the plant as possible to protect it from weeds.
- Dig holes for the plants and lower them into the soil. Fold the flaps of the membrane back and dig a hole just large enough to fit the plant and its roots. Lower the plant into the ground and cover it with the soil, pressing on the ground around the roots of the plant to level the ground.[7]
- Add compost to the hole to provide extra nutrients for your plants. This is especially important when using a membrane/weed barrier as the soil beneath the gravel won't be naturally enriched with organic matter.
- Avoid letting soil fall onto the membrane while you're planting. If some does get onto the membrane, wipe it off before you lay the gravel.
- Tuck the membrane flaps under the the plant and water thoroughly. Fold the flaps back under the plant and make sure there are no gaps where you can see soil. Water each plant for about 30 seconds to saturate the soil before you lay the gravel.[8]
- If the membrane is lifting, you can use a landscape pin or rock to hold it in place.
EditAdding Gravel to the Garden - Spread the gravel mulch over the membrane. Distribute the gravel around the garden as evenly as possible, pouring it over the membrane all over the garden. As a general rule of gravel will cover about of the garden at a depth of about . You can order the gravel in bulk or buy it in bags from the home improvement store.[9]
- You can add large rocks or boulders to the area before you spread the gravel to add variety.
- Depending on the size of your garden and grade of the gravel, you might have to buy more or less gravel to cover the entire area of the garden.
- If your garden isn't a square, measure the shape of a square around the garden and use the leftover gravel to fill in bare spots as needed throughout the year.
- Use a rake to level the gravel to about thick. When you first apply the gravel, you'll have some areas that are deeper than others. Pull a rake across the garden in straight lines to distribute the gravel evenly across the garden. If you have some areas that are still deeper than others, use a shovel to remove some of the gravel and then rake it smooth.[10]
- Be careful when you're leveling the gravel to not interfere with the plants. When you reach a plant, use the rake to go around the plant and even the gravel without damaging the leaves or pulling it from the ground.
- Water around the plants twice a week with a gentle stream until they are established. Your new plants may take up to a month before their roots are established in the soil. Water each plant for 30 seconds twice per week for a month to ensure that they're growing and forming roots.
- After a month, you can cut back your watering to an as-needed basis. For areas that don't get a lot of rain, water the garden once per month or more depending on your climate and the needs of your specific plants to ensure the plants have enough water.
- Be sure to use a mist or gentle stream to keep the gravel from moving when you water the plants.
- This applies to all plants, even watering succulents and cacti, to ensure that their roots become established in the soil.
- Be vigilant about weeding around the plants to prevent overgrowth. The first year of a gravel garden requires a lot of maintenance, especially around the new plants. Keep an eye out for weeds that might've grown through gaps in the membrane or around the base of your plants. Pull them as soon as you see them sprout from the gravel.[11]
- After the first year, your plants will be more established and there will be fewer weeds to pull.
- Top-dress the soil around each plant with aged manure or compost every year or two.
- Throughout the year, you may have to add some extra gravel to spots where people or animals walk through the garden.
- Always be careful when using scissors in the garden. Be sure to place them out of the way so you don't step on them while you're working.
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| How to Train Your Voice Posted: 06 Jun 2018 01:00 AM PDT Your voice is an instrument that needs training and practice so it improves. Fortunately, there are lots of exercises that teach you to breathe or vocalize properly. Whether you're working with a vocal coach or on your own, you can warm-up with your favorite techniques. Use these skills when you speak professionally and learn how to improve the quality of your singing voice. It's also important to avoid damaging habits such as overuse, shouting, and coughing which can strain your voice. EditPracticing Vocal and Breathing Exercises - Pant at different speeds to build breath control. Start with short, fast panting for about 30 seconds and then do slower medium panting for another 30 seconds. Finish with 30 seconds of low, deep panting. Changing the depth of your breaths and the speed of panting will give you more control over your breathing.[1]
- You should feel air moving deeply through your lungs when you do the deep panting.
- Practice blowing out a single breath in controlled bursts. Learn to take deep breaths before speaking or singing so you don't run out of air in the middle of a line. Extend your arm and hold out your index finger. Take a deep breath and imagine your finger is a candle that you need to blow out 5 times. Release the breath in 5 bursts so they're equal in length and power.[2]
- Doing this exercise will give energy to your breaths. This can prevent your voice from sounding flat or boring as you speak or sing.
- Lip trill to prevent vocal fry. You'll damage your voice over time if you frequently speak or sing with vocal fry. Instead of making a low, creaking or rough sound based in your throat, practice bringing the sound from the front of your mouth. Take a full deep breath, bring your lips together and blow the air out of your mouth so your lips vibrate quickly or trill.[3]
- Trill through your entire range and play around with the sounds you make.
- If you have trouble trilling, try humming instead. This will also move the sound from your throat to your mouth.
- Vocalize your vowels to prepare your voice. Stand up and bring your shoulders back with your feet apart. Use a deep voice with a full breath to say or speak "Maaaa, mayyyyy, meeee, mowwww, mooo." This will open your voice and help you relax.[4]
- You should feel the muscles in your abdomen tighten as you sing these words.
- Do solfege scale exercises to improve your pitch. Most people are familiar with practicing scales that ascend and descend along with a piano. Start with a major scale in the key of C and sing solfege notes such as "do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, do," while ascending the pitches. Then decline back down to the pitch "do."[5]
- Solfege scales will help you train your ear to hear and adjust your pitch.
- Develop a simple warm-up program. If you can, work with a professional voice instructor to make a program designed specifically for you. You can also create your own 10 to 15 minute warm-up using basic exercises that you enjoy. If you're unsure how to begin, sit or stand with your shoulders relaxed and start with this simple warm-up program:[6]
- Whole body stretching (3 min)
- Breathing exercise such as controlled breaths (2 min)
- Loosen your lips and jaw by trilling or humming (2 min)
- Sing up and down scales or speak some of your lines (4 min)
EditImproving Your Singing Voice - Stand tall with your shoulders back and feet apart. Your feet should be shoulder width apart and you need to bring your chest forward. Good posture will allow the air to move easily from your lungs through your mouth. Your voice will have a better sound and seem more energetic because you have good air flow.[7]
- Avoid locking your knees or tightening your shoulders. Try to keep your body loose and relaxed as you sing.
- Open your mouth wide and move your tongue forward. Stand in front of a mirror and sing a few lines while you pay attention to how much you open your mouth. Then open your mouth and place the tips of your index and middle fingers in it. Your mouth should be open much wider. Remove your fingers and bring your tongue towards the front of your mouth so the tip is near your bottom teeth.[8]
- Practice singing with your tongue forward and mouth open. You should notice a better sound because there's more space in your mouth for the sound to resonate.
- Study other singers, but sing within a range that's comfortable for you. Pay attention to how other singers breathe, hold themselves, and move their voices. You may learn little tricks such as tucking your chin on high notes or bringing your chest up to maintain energy. It's important to remember not to push your voice out of its comfort range or you could damage it.[9]
- Instead, work on improving your tone and breathing so the quality of your voice improves.
- Breathe from your diaphragm to improve your sound. Keep your shoulders in place and breathe deeply from your stomach instead of your chest. Comfortably release the air as you sing. Don't push it out forcefully or wait until you feel like you're going to run out of air before breathing again. Develop a comfortable breathing pattern as you sing.[10]
- Keep in mind that you don't need to tank up on air before trying to hit a high note. You can sing high notes with proper breath so you don't strain your voice.
- Enunciate your words so your voice sounds clear. The exercises that stress vowels and the scales that use consonants will help you bring out the words you sing. When you focus on delivering the words, the sound of your voice will improve and become clearer.[11]
- When you practice a song, determine which words you want to really emphasize. This might mean that you take a breath before singing the word so it's energized.
EditKeeping Your Voice Healthy - Stay hydrated throughout the day. Drink non-caffeinated beverages such as water, herbal tea, juice, or decaf coffee. Try to drink 6 to 8 8-ounce (240 ml) glasses of water a day. Drinking plenty of fluids will keep the vocal folds in your voice box hydrated so they move easily.[12]
- Avoid alcohol if you'll be speaking or singing soon because alcohol irritates the mucus lining of the throat.
- Avoid vocal extremes such as whispering and screaming. You'll damage your vocal folds over time if you consistently scream or use your voice loudly. The folds can become swollen and red which will make your voice raspy or hoarse. Whispering also damages the vocal cords because they're tightly squeezed.[13]
- Give your voice a rest. It's hard to give your voice a rest if you're constantly performing, but your voice will become strained and overworked if you don't. It's also important to rest your voice if you start to become sick. To rest your voice, try to talk or sing as little as possible for a few days.[14]
- Plan on taking "vocal naps" according to your schedule. For example, avoid speaking or singing during your lunch break or on your commute home.
- Sip water or gargle salt water to clear your throat. Since coughing can harm your vocal folds and cold medication such as decongestants may dry them out, sip water instead. You can also try clearing your voice by gargling salt water for about 30 seconds.[15]
- Sucking on a cough drop or lozenge is safe for your vocal cords and will stop a cough.
- Contact your doctor if you have a hoarse voice that doesn't improve. If you've rested your raspy voice but it hasn't gotten better after 2 to 3 weeks, schedule an exam with your doctor. If you don't have any other illness and you don't smoke, there may be a problem with some part of your vocal box. The doctor might refer you to an ear, nose and throat doctor for a diagnosis.[16]
- Avoid smiling while you sing because it changes the shape of your mouth, making it harder to produce a quality sound.
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