Fat Cats Spoiled by Owners’ Love

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Mindy Jamison

It’s not just humans that suffer from weight problems, there are more and more fat cats tipping the scales and putting their health at risk.

Most fat cats are piling on the kitty pounds due to inactivity and over-eating and it is an issue that vets are seeing more and more.

According to a 2011 study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), more than 50 per cent of domestic pet cats are overweight.

Fat Cats Have More Health Problems

Fat cats are much more likely to experience health problems, which may shorten their lifespan and lead to large vet bills.

Some of the health problems that overweight kitties may experience include:

Diabetes
Arthritis
Some kinds of cancer
Liver disease
Heart disease

Preventing Feline Fat

Cat owners need to understand the health risks associated with overweight cats. In doing so, they can protect their pet’s well-being and ensure a healthier and happier cat for years to come.

Causes of Cat Obesity

Cat obesity is caused by the same problem that leads to weight gain in any other mammal – too much food intake and not enough exercise.

In nature, cats would have to hunt for their food and they only hunt what they need. On top of this, stalking and capturing their prey leads to a lot of energy expenditure.

Domesticated cats, on the other hand, have their meals served up to them and there is no effort required on their part.

Often pet owners will also provide their pets with too much food, as they may overestimate the dietary requirements of their furry friend.

Another factor that can lead to weight gain in pets is spaying or neutering. Animals that have been neutered or spayed are more likely to experience weight gain, but this risk factor can be controlled by paying special attention to portion size.

Identifying Fat Cats

A visit to the vet can reveal if your cat is overweight or not. Otherwise, there are a couple of ways in which you can decide whether or not it might be time to put kitty on a diet:

Run your hand along your cat’s flanks and abdomen – in a cat that is the correct weight, you should be able to feel their ribs.
Can you detect a slight waistline? If there is no discernible waist, your cat is almost certainly too heavy.

Fat cats can get into shape again quickly and the health risks can be reduced by talking to your vet about the ideal diet for your fuzzy friend.

The Cat’s Purr – Talking about Good Vibrations

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Mindy Jamison

A cat’s purr is surely one of the best things about owning a cat – there is nothing quite like snuggling up with your cat and feeling its contented vibrations thrumming through its body.

Most people think that a cat merely purrs when it is feeling contented. In fact, there are a whole lot of reasons that a cat will purr.

Reasons for a Cat’s Purr

There are many different reasons that your cat may purr:

When they are relaxed and happy.
When they are scared – a cat will often purr when it is trying to self-soothe while under stress.
Mother cats often purr when they feed their kittens as a way to communicate and transmit their affection for their young.

Physiology of the Purr

The cat’s purr originates in the feline’s voice box (larynx) when the vocal chords and diaphragmatic muscles work together to create a continuous vibration as it breathes in and out.

Cat’s purring noises measure between 25 and 150 hertz and there is evidence that this noise can be used therapeutically.

Many people have positive results when using the purring of a cat to aid sleep disturbances or difficulty falling asleep.

Some people now even use artificial cat’s purr white noise apps to fall asleep!

The Thera-purr-tic Effect

There are various potentially therapeutic effects of a cat’s purr. There is evidence that the gentle vibration of the purr:

can aid healing of soft tissue injuries to ligaments, tendons and muscles
reduces stress levels
reduces blood pressure
boosts immune system function
calms nervous anxiety.

A cat’s purr is a truly soothing sound that can bring a sense of tranquillity both felines and cat lovers alike.

What you need to know about Cat Hairballs

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Mindy Jamison

Cat hairballs are the inevitable side effect of your feline and its fastidious approach to personal grooming.

Cats will typically spend a couple of hours each day grooming themselves and each time they do this they ingest loose hairs from their coats.

When they swallow the hairs, they will sometimes remain in their stomach instead of being passed through the digestive tract.

The hair then will irritate the stomach and the cat will regurgitate the matted mass of fur.

Do All Cats Develop Hairballs?

Long and medium-haired cats are more prone to developing fur balls than their short-haired friends.

Some cats also tend to be more obsessive about grooming than others too and these super-groomers are more likely to develop cat hairballs.

What do Cat Hairballs Look Like?

Hairballs, also known trichobezoars, are usually cylindrical bundles of matted cat fur.

Symptoms of Cat Hairballs

There are a range of symptoms that your cat may experience if they are having problems with fur balls.

Some of the more obvious symptoms include:

Retching
Gagging
Vomiting.

Other more subtle symptoms of fur balls include:

Loss of appetite
Constipation
Dairrhoea
Lethargy
Swollen abdomen,

It is normal for all cats to have the occasional hairball, but if you notice any of the above symptoms, you should seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.

Frequent cat hairballs or any of the above symptoms could be a sign of an underlying health condition.

Preventing Cat Hairballs

Daily brushing – daily brushing of your cat’s coat will help to remove many of the loose hairs that can lead to fur balls.

If your cat dislikes being brushed, there are hand mitts that can be purchased from animal grooming centres.

Regular brushing will help prevent many of the loose hairs ending up in your kitty’s tummy and it is a great way to bond with your cat too.

Discouragement – if you notice that your cat is quite compulsive about its grooming, try to discourage it from doing so.

Use distraction to prevent the cat from constantly licking its coat.

Diet – A high fibre diet will help to reduce formation of cat hairballs.

In addition, there are cat foods that help minimise shedding and improve the skin.

Adding catnip or cat grass to your kitty’s diet also serves as a natural solution to fur balls.

Keep a pot plant filled with catnip to add to your cat’s meals. Another alternative is including pumpkin, which is high fibre in their diet.

With a little attention to grooming and diet, you can help reduce the effect that cat hairballs have on your beloved kitty.

Behaviour Management 101 for Naughty Cats

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Mindy Jamison

Naughty cats can be just like children and need help to learn limits and the appropriate behavior.

If you have a cat that is providing some challenging behavior, then you might like to consider time outs as a useful tool.

Signs you May have Naughty Cats

Time outs might be required for naughty cats when you are experiencing any of the following behaviour:

Biting
Scratching
Aggressive play
Hissing
Bullying behavior towards other pets.

However, it is not an appropriate behavior management tool in order to deal with:

Anxiety
Phobias
Toileting issues.

How can I Use Time Outs with Naughty Cats?

Giving naughty cats time outs is a simple process – all you need to do is to place the cat in an isolated location for a period of time.

A laundry or bathroom is usually the best option.

When you put the cat into time out, you must do so without playing, petting or chatting to it.

If you do so, then you are potentially rewarding the cat for bad behavior.

Another key point is that you must not chase your cat into the time out area as they will perceive it as being part of a game.

Ten minutes is generally an ideal amount of time to leave naughty cats in a time out.

Following this period of time, they will have made a connection between their action and the punishment.

It would be counter-productive and unkind to your pet to leave it in isolation for an extended period.

Any longer and your cat may become stressed and their behavior will deteriorate in the time out space or once they are let out.

Use time outs for naughty cats consistently and you will soon begin to see marked improvements in their behavior.

Handling Cats Safely and Lovingly

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Mindy Jamison

There is nothing quite as calming as cuddling your kitty, but handling cats needs to be done carefully or you may injure them – or yourself.

Often your cat will enjoy being patted, but cats also live life on their own terms and there are times when your cat will not be interested in affection.

As a cat owner, it is important to learn to distinguish when they are in the mood for snuggles and when they are not.

Tips for Handling Cats

There are several tips that a caring owner should know about handling cats:

First, consider your cat’s body language – do they appear relaxed?
Earn the cat’s confidence by patting it or talking to it so you have its attention.
Once the cat appears comfortable with you, you can pick it up.
It is best to scoop the cat up by placing one hand on their chest under their front legs and use your other hand to cradle their hind legs.
Then bring the cat in close to your body so it feels secure.
It is best not to move around very much when handling cats to avoid frightening it.

Tips on Kids Handling Cats

Many children adore animals and are very eager to try handling cats; here are a few tips to help keep the children and the cat safe:

Children should be supervised when handling cats at all times.
They should sit down with the cat to pet them as there is a risk they may drop it, or the child may also get scratched or bitten if they frighten the animal.
Demonstrate how to carefully pet the cat and ensure they understand they need to be gentle.

Don’ts for Handling Cats

There are a couple of things that you should definitely not do when you are handling cats:

Although you may see mother cats do it, you should never pick a cat up by the scruff of its neck – it may become injured.
Cradling a cat like a baby is also unwise as it may feel vulnerable and you stand a good chance of being bitten or scratched.

Tips on Handling Cats with Affection

Cats love to have their ears gently scratched or massaged and they also enjoy a tickle under the chin.

They will often enjoy being stroked along the length of their back and having a scratch on their back at the base of their tail.

Cats do not generally enjoy having their fur brushed backwards, having their whiskers or paws played with.

When handling cats the key is to watch your kitty’s body language and be sensitive to any signs they are not enjoying your attention or affection.

Cat Profile : Getting to Know the Russian Blue

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Mindy Jamison

The Russian blue is a much loved breed of cat for its entrancing beauty and affectionate natures.

This breed originally came from the Archangel Isles in Russia, and was much favoured by the Russian czars.

The Russian blue is also sometimes known as the Archangel cat due to their origins and they are believed to have been taken to Northern Europe and England in the mid-19^th Century by Russian sailors.

Russian blue cats are generally lithe and muscular with piercing green-emerald eyes and a striking silver-blue coat.

Russian Blue Personality

The Russian blue is often shy around strangers, but is exceptionally affectionate with its family.

They are often sensitive to the moods and feelings of their owners.

Russian blue cats often display:

Dignity
Playfulness
Sensitivity
Independence
Companionship.

The Russian blue breed is usually best with families where there are older children.

Their sensitive nature can become overwhelmed easily when there is a lot of noise around the house or young children who may scare them.

When things get a little much for them in the noise department, they will often slip quietly away for a little solitude.

Interesting Facts about the Russian Blue

After World War II, there were very few Russian blue cats left.

Fortunately, English and Scandinavian breeders were able to revive their numbers by cross-breeding them with English blue and blue point Siamese breeds.

In Russia, the breed is considered to be lucky and images of this cat are often given to brides in order to bring about a happy marriage.

Looking After Your Russian Blue

The Russian blue is a short-haired breed, which makes their grooming requirement relatively simple.

All that is required is a weekly brushing, regular patting and a healthy diet.

With a little love and attention, you will have a friend for life in the Russian blue.

Cat Profile : Getting to Know Siamese Cats

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Mindy Jamison

With piercing ice-blue eyes and their sleek coats and fur pattern, Siamese cats are among the world’s best known and loved breeds.

History of Siamese Cats

Siamese cats originally came from Siam, which is today known as Thailand.

They were kept by royalty and were also kept as sacred temple cats.

These regal felines became a common sight in the West in the 19^th century.

Appearance of Siamese Cats

Siamese cats are:

Short-haired
Cream coloured with dark brown or grey tips on the ears, nose, paws and/or tail
Lithe and muscular
Blue-eyed.

Personality of Siamese Cats

Siamese cats are a popular choice for pet owners due to their handsome appearance.

Cat Superstitions Over Time

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Mindy Jamison

Over time, there have been many cat superstitions across different cultures that have coloured the way people connect with felines.

Bad Luck Cat Superstitions

Of course, one of the best known cat superstitions is that black cats are bad luck.

In the UK and many other English speaking countries, the black cat was associated with witchcraft and evil.

In China, the black cat is associated with hard times and poverty.

In much of Europe, one of the leading cat superstitions was that if a black cat jumped onto a sick bed, it was a sure sign that death was near.

Remnants of these cat superstitions are still prominent to this day and for this reason, black cats have the lowest adoption rate at pet rescue centres.

Good Luck Cat Superstitions

Fortunately for the black cat, some places also believe that they are good luck or even sacred.

Freya, one of the Norse goddesses, drives a chariot that is pulled by two black cats.

In the South of France, black cats are known as magician’s cats and they are believed to bring good luck.

Cat Superstitions and Seafaring Folk

Pirates, sailors and fisherman have always been a superstitious bunch, so it is unsurprising that they have some about cats:

Sailors – in the 19^th century sailors believed that black cats would attract good luck and many were kept on ships.
Pirates – believed that a black cat walking towards them was bad luck, but a black cat walking away from them was a harbinger of good fortune.
Fishermen – many fishermen’s wives used to keep black cats because they believed that it would protect their husband while they were away from home on the seas.

Cat Superstitions and Romance

In Japan, it is believed that a woman with a black cat will have many suitors and many favourable offers of marriage.

It is also commonly believed there that if a black cat sneezes near a bride, it will bring good fortune.

Often black cats, in the form of ornaments, are given to couples as gifts on their wedding day.

There are many cat superstitions throughout the world in different cultures.

Do you believe in cat superstitions?

Tips for Introducing a New Cat into the Home

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Mindy Jamison

Introducing a New Cat into your Home

Introducing a new pet to your home is exciting, but a new cat comes with responsibility too.

A new cat may feel nervous and ill at ease in its new surroundings.

Fortunately, there are many things that you can do in order to make the transition easy on the new cat, you and any other family members or other pets.

By helping a new cat to settle into your home and become accustomed to the sights, smells and people, you will all have an easier time and develop a close bond.

How to Get Your New Cat Settled

Do it one room at a time – set aside a space for the cat with its food, water, toys, litter tray and bed.
Go slowly – let the new cat become accustomed to new rooms and spaces little by little at their own pace.
Keep other pets away from them for the time being.

How to show your New Cat Love and Affection

Start by spending some quality time with them in their space, cuddling and playing with them, which will establish a bond between you.

If you have other animals, you need to also ensure you pay them attention, otherwise feelings of jealousy may cause problems later one.

A new cat requires extra cuddling and attention in order to feel welcomed into the new environment.

Introducing a New Cat to Other Animals

If you have other pets in the home, then you need to be careful about how you introduce them if you want them to get along.

If you have several other pets, introduce them one at a time.

It is usually best to introduce a new cat to the older animals first, since they tend to be more calm and relaxed.

Sometimes the new cat may not be interested in interacting with other animals.

Don’t try to force the situation, simply accept their reaction and try introducing them again a little later.

Gradual and relaxed introductions will help to ease the transition for both the other animals and the new cat.

Fascinating Feline Facts for Ailurophiles

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Mindy Jamison

Fun Cat Facts for Ailurophiles

All cat lovers know that kitties are fascinating creatures, but here are some feline facts that might surprise even the savviest ailurophile.

Fun Feline Facts

Here are some fun feline facts to expand your general knowledge about your favourite pet:

As you may have guessed, a cat lover is known as an ailurophile, which comes from the Greek ailurous.
Conversely, if you dislike cats, or you are scared of them, you are an ailurophobe.
The collective noun for a group of adult cats is a clowder.
The collective noun for a group of kittens is a litter, or a kindle, which comes from Middle English when birthing was known as kindling.

Feline Facts: Agility

It is a well-known fact that felines are fleet-footed, but did you know:

They can move at a speedy 45 kilometres per hour.
They can spring up to five times their height in one single jump.
Cats are excellent fallers; they have a kind of internal gyroscope that helps them to turn themselves the right way up when falling and their legs are designed to distribute impact when they land.

Feline Facts: Senses

Dogs are known for their keen hearing, but cats can pick up sound a full octave higher than dogs.

Although cats are not colour blind, they do not see colour the same way a human does.

They are good at detecting the colours blue, green and yellow, but have trouble picking up some shades of red.

Freaky Feline Facts

Female cats are generally right-pawed, but males generally favour their left paw.
In ancient Egypt, when the family cat died, the family would express their grief and mourn them by shaving off their eyebrows.
Sir Isaac Newton invented the cat flap after his cat kept interrupting his experiments.

With these feline facts up your sleeve, you will be able to hold your own with the best of the ailurophiles.