Tag Archives: pet cat

The Cat’s Purr – Talking about Good Vibrations

Posted on by
Reply

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.

Cat Profile : Getting to Know the Russian Blue

Posted on by
Reply

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-19th 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 by
Reply

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 19th 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 by
Reply

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 19th 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 by
Reply
Cat at Blue Front Door

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

  1. Do it one room at a time – set aside a space for the cat with its food, water, toys, litter tray and bed.
  2. Go slowly – let the new cat become accustomed to new rooms and spaces little by little at their own pace.
  3. 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

Cat Sitting Front DoorIf 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.

Cat lovers Treated to Feline Therapy in Paris

Posted on by
Reply
Therapy Cat Ginger Kitten

Cat Therapy

Cat lovers craving a kitty cuddle can now combine their fondness for felines with a croissant and cappuccino.

Purr-therapy for cat lovers

A new café in Paris has launched a novel concept for Parisians who love animals, but are not allowed them, or don’t have space for them, in their cramped apartments.

Le Café des Chats, in the Marais district of Paris offers patrons some purr-therapy by cuddling one of the 12 rescue cats that call the café home.

Djenko is one of the dozen cats that has been adopted from pet rescue centres in the French capital. He is a tabby who has feline dwarfism; this genetic condition causes small paws and a stunted tail.
Djenko, Habby, Oreo and the rest of the kitty crew at the café have been carefully chosen for their social characters.

Cat lovers: health benefits

It is well-known that there are many mental health benefits to owning pets. Some of these include:

  • Reduction in stress levels
  • Lowered blood pressure
  • Easing of chronic pain
  • Reduced risk of heart attack and stroke
  • Lowered cholesterol levels
  • Mood elevation – preventing depression
  • Helps with loneliness.

Patting a tabby as you sip your coffee enjoying the purring ball of fluff on your lap has appealed to young and old alike with visitors spanning all points on the age spectrum.

Cat lovers On opening weekend, the café had queues lining up around the block and more than 300 cat lovers had to be turned away. Bookings are now taken for interested potential visitors.

Cat lovers who visit the café are asked to observe a few rules for the cats’ health and wellbeing: no handling the cats when they are sleeping and no feeding them.

Pet Cat Promoted to Assistant Librarian

Posted on by
Reply

Kuzya, the pet cat at the municipal library of Novorossiysk, Russia, has recently been given the title of assistant librarian.Assistant Librarian

Pet cat Adopted by Local Library

The friendly feline turned up at the library one day, homeless and looking for food. The library staff was quickly charmed by Kuzya, who oozed personality, and he soon became the library’s mascot and pet cat.

Pet cat Overcomes Red Tape

Unfortunately, there is a lot of bureaucracy that needs to be navigated carefully when an animal is to be kept in a public space.

There were various hurdles that had to be overcome before Kuzya could take up a permanent post in the library:

  • A passport was obtained for the pet cat
  • A vet gave him a clean bill of health
  • He was vaccinated against rabies
  • An ID chip was implanted.

Success as Kuzya, the pet cat becomes local celebrity

Pet Cat Assistant Librarian

Following all these steps, the staff members at Novorossiysk library were happy to receive the good news that Kuzya was permitted to stay with them.

Since he has become an official member of the library team, he receives a princely wage of 30 tins of cat food per month, plus snacks and a snazzy bow tie to ensure he looks the part.

Since arriving at the library he has been a huge hit with staff and locals alike.

Many local people come to the library just to visit the library’s pet cat as he roams the shelves or nuzzles in for a cat nap in one of his favourite nooks among the books.