How many times have you heard someone say, “I don’t get cats. I mean, why would anyone have a cat?”
It’s a popular question from those who have never lived with or loved a cat. And I get it because from a distance, cats do seem very mysterious and aloof. They’re very different from dogs, but when you get right down to it, understanding cats and their behavior isn’t so hard. Just take a look at this handy dandy cheat sheet!
Any of this behavior remind you of your own cat? I definitely see my kitty in a lot of these examples.
So the next time someone tells you that they just “don’t get” cats, you can refer them to this helpful blog post that will explain all!
Over the years, I’ve had several cats and each one of them had a different opinion about catnip. I had one kitty who cared nothing about it, while the majority of them were nuts about the stuff. Some people think that catnip isn’t good for cats, but that’s not true. Take a look at this cute infographic for some interesting facts about kitties and catnip.
Want to grow your own catnip at home? It’s really simple and can be done indoors during wintertime and outdoors when the weather is good. I’ll bet your cat would love it! And in the meantime, be sure to check out our selection of cat toys, many of which include catnip!
Does your cat enjoy a little catnip now and then? We’d love for you to share a photo of your cat on our Facebook page!
Living with a pet is a huge happiness booster for the pet owner as well as having several health benefits, but how can you tell how your cat feels? Is your cat happy and healthy, too?
There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your cat’s well-being. First, lay the groundwork when they are kittens by spending lots of time playing with them. When you spend time getting to know your kitten’s personality and preferences, you can be sure that you’re setting them up for a long, healthy and happy life.
Also, don’t skip important vet checkups and immunizations so they’ll grow into happy, loving cats.
Sometimes, like when you’ve adopted an older cat (which you should seriously consider!), you don’t have a say in what happens when to your cat as a kitten. Look for signs that your cat is expressing happiness and love, signs like purring or bringing you a ‘present’. Sharing their prey with you is actually a true sign of affection!
Does it ever seem that your cat wants to be right on top of your hands or lap when you’re on your computer? This, too, is a way of expressing their love for you and their desire for your attention, even if it can be a pain in the neck for you.
Finally, why not use this checklist before visiting the vet to make sure your cat is getting the attentive care they deserve?
For more, please check out these 10 tips for a happy and healthy kitten. Make sure to check out these 6 ways your cat shows you that they are happy members of your family.
In what ways does your cat show you that she is happy and healthy?
What types of environmental enhancements do you offer your cat?
Caring for cats properly involves much more than simply furnishing food, water and a litter box. Environmental enrichment, such as toys, food puzzles, perches, and even hiding places, can really change the quality of life for almost any cat.
The Winn Feline Foundation recently took a look at this issue in a group of shelter cats on their blog. Environmental enrichment in shelter cats is an excerpt from a study which provided a food puzzle to a stable group of shelter cats and examined their reaction to the puzzle and their interactions surrounding the object. The study concluded:
“a stimulating item that can be shared by all individuals in a stable group, such as a puzzle feeder of appropriate size, can play an important role in promoting positive social interactions among cats and improving their welfare.”
Certainly, in shelter cats, this is an important study. It underlines the need for more than just basic care in the lives of these animals and the fact that this enrichment is easily achievable. After all, the ultimate goal is to give these cats the best chance for adoption. Cats that are comfortable in their environment and confident will show it in their behavior. And confident behavior is much more “adoptable” than a cat that is hiding in his cage or, worse yet, acting in aggressive manner out of fear.
However, this study also can be extended to those of us who keep multi-cat households. I have three cats and frequently see two or more of my cats interacting with the toys and puzzles at once. In fact, it seems as though if one cat shows interest, it generates interest in the other cats as well.
Many environmental enhancement toys, cat furniture and other items can be found at www.MyThreeCats.com, the experts in optimum care care and well being.
