Blue Bell Foundation for Cats The Blue Bell Foundation for Cats nestles on the green hillside on the winding Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach, California. It can accommodate 60 residents and offers care to senior felines in a tranquil, forever-home setting thanks to animal lover Bertha Yergat, who founded the organization and willed her beautiful …
Just adopted a kitten? Or share your home with adult cats? Or, do you care for a community cat colony in your neighborhood? No matter the environment, the challenge remains: keeping fleas off felines. These blood-sucking nuisances possess a strong ability to survive, considering that they have been pestering mammals and birds for more than …
Blue Bell Foundation for Cats The Blue Bell Foundation for Cats nestles on the green hillside on the winding Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach, California. It can accommodate 60 residents and offers care to senior felines in a tranquil, forever-home setting thanks to animal lover Bertha Yergat, who founded the organization and willed her beautiful …
Many of America’s cats may be suffering during the pandemic – and the problem could be too much love. “It’s all about stress behavior in cats,” says Jenni Grady, DVM, who works at the community medical center that is part of Tufts University’s Cummings Veterinary Medical Center in North Grafton, Mass. Dr. Grady says stress …
If you wake up one morning and notice that one of your cat’s eyes looks a little odd, you might wonder if it’s something that requires a veterinary visit. What does it mean if your cat has watery eyes or teary eyes, or if your cat is squinting or pawing at her eye? We’ve got …
What Causes Watery Cat Eyes and Do You Need to Visit a Vet? Read More »
For many longtime cat guardians, amoxicillin for cats may not be a mystery. It is an antibiotic drug, in the penicillin family, used to prohibit the growth of bacteria. According to Tufts University and Medical News Today, it treats everything from bronchitis to Lyme disease to urinary tract infections in people. Amoxicillin for cats is …
Amoxicillin for Cats: Dosages, Side Effects and More Read More »
You’ve probably seen cats who are clearly supposed to be black, but instead their fur is a reddish-brown color. Perhaps you’ve seen cats with dark fur on their sides and back as well as their tails, faces, and feet. Or maybe you’ve seen one of your own cats change color over the years. Here are …
Cat Colors: 4 Reasons Your Cat’s Fur Changes Over Time Read More »
Roses are red, violets are blue, you love your sweetheart but want to keep your cat safe, too. Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day or any day, flowers can bring a smile to a person’s face. But some plants pose health and safety risks for cats. The good news: Roses are safe. The bad news: …
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat; their bodies simply require it. (On the other hand, dogs are considered scavenging carnivores, which means they are primarily meat eaters — but they could survive on plants alone if absolutely necessary.) But what about meats like bacon? Can cats eat bacon? And if cats …
Cute little cat noses — who doesn’t love ‘em? Nothing can feel sweeter than a kitty rubbing his face against you, nose first. Like humans, some of the cats’ bodily functions may vary by individual. This is true of the feline nose. Some people think an excessively dry or wet cat nose indicates illness — but …
Is a Wet Cat Nose Normal — Or a Cause for Concern? Read More »
Some of the most profoundly heartbreaking moments of my cat-caretaking life revolve around being unable to tell how much pain my beloved friends were suffering. Even though I know cats are very good at disguising their pain, I can’t help but guilt-trip myself sometimes over this health issue, because as a person who’s lived with …
Have a Sick Cat? 9 Ways to Tell if Your Cat Is In Pain Read More »
Have you ever thought, “Why is my cat always hungry?” You’re not alone. As a cat guardian, you know that a cat who won’t eat for a day or so means a trip to the vet. But did you know that a cat who is always hungry can be a sign of health problems, both …
The beauty of the Thanksgiving holiday is reflected in the happy faces of family and friends gathered together — felines included. But, not all Turkey Day traditions are good for kitties. Follow these tips to ensure a safe Thanksgiving with cats! From toxic foods to unsafe decor, Thanksgiving can be a dangerous holiday for your cats! Photography ©EEI_Tony …
Scooting, which is the polite term for a pet dragging his butt along the ground, is seen more often in dogs, but cat scooting happens sometimes, too. Usually, this means a cat’s rear is itchy or irritated. A little detective work can help you get to the bottom of the cause behind all that cat …
There is a place and a function for everything. While litter boxes function as feline restrooms, sofas and beds are supposed to be for relaxing, sleeping and (if we’re lucky) cuddling cats. We expect to find cat urine in the litter boxes, not where we unwind and nap. But what about a cat peeing on the …
Is Your Cat Peeing on the Bed or Couch? Here’s Why Read More »
“A novel must be exceptionally good to live as long as the average cat.” This aphorism is widely attributed to Philip Stanhope, the Fourth Earl of Chesterfield. Lord Chesterfield lived through the period of English literary history when novels were just becoming popular, and there was already a sense that all forms of media were …
How Long Do Cats Live? Facts About the Average Cat Lifespan Read More »
I know more than I ever wanted to learn about cats and their bowel movements, thanks to my 8 ½-year-old red tabby, Jack. Since we adopted him at 12 weeks old, Jack has experienced many episodes and bouts of stomach upset and questionable “output” as a kitten (right after we adopted him), as an adult …
Cat Poop — When to Worry (or Not!) for Cats of All Ages Read More »
As a cat-adoption counselor for a shelter, I often get potential adopters who see a kitty’s blue eyes and ask — especially if the cat is white, too — if she is deaf. Assuming that all cats with blue eyes, which are not nearly as prevalent as yellowish or green eyes in cats, are deaf is …
Every spring, Mother Nature reveals her regenerative power — and the remarkable fecundity of cats, in the form of millions of newborn kittens. Feral cats are the main source of this bounty. Most kittens born of feral mothers will make wonderful pets if they are properly socialized at an early age. Many of these kittens …
What Is Fading Kitten Syndrome and Why Do So Many Foster Kittens Die From It? Read More »
Look into your cat’s eyes. What color are they? The vast majority of adult cat eye colors exist on a spectrum ranging from green, gold and yellow on one side to orange, copper, and brown on the other, with a host of variations and shades between. But what about cats with blue eyes? All kittens are …
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Grab them by the scruff of the neck!” While it’s an antiquated quip, there are still some folks who believe that scruffing a cat is a proper feline-handling skill. Why this myth is still believed as true is perplexing — there are much better and more humane ways to handle your cat. …
Scruffing a Cat — Why You Shouldn’t Do It and How to Restrain a Cat the Right Way Read More »
Summer is the time to relax and slow down, a time to seek relief from searing temperatures. Cats are geniuses for finding the coolest spots in their homes. Sometimes they stretch out on cold bathroom tiles or in places where there are refreshing cross breezes. Although kitties are not as active in hot weather as …
How to Keep Your Cat Active and Cool During the Summer Read More »
Throughout the long and hard winter, summer is the one thing on our minds. I can’t wait to feel the sun on my skin — albeit cloaked in sunscreen — and feel the blood coming back to my extremities. Chances are your cat might be excited about summer, too. While outdoor threats to cats are …
Millet is a type of hardy, nutritious grass seed that has been cultivated by humans for thousands of years. It is highly adaptable, with a wealth of functions, providing food and sustenance for both livestock and humans. We say “it,” but actually millet is an umbrella term for at least 50 different varieties of this staple grain. …
Scabs on Cats? What Causes Them and How to Treat Them Read More »
Did you know that cats have not one, not two, but three eyelids? The first two eyelids are similar to ours — one on the top and one on the bottom that meet in the middle of the eye when the lids are closed. The third eyelid, also known as the nictitating membrane, is a …
One of my cats, Gabby, will sometimes make a coughing, wheezing sound, almost like he’s about to cough up a hairball or do the infamous scarf-and-barf move, but sometimes, nothing comes up! So, is cat wheezing something to worry about? And does cat wheezing always mean a trip to the vet? [embedded content] First, what …
Cat Wheezing: What Is It, Why Does It Happen and Should You See a Vet? Read More »
This first time I noticed that my calico cat Merritt’s nose seemed pinker than usual, I thought I was imagining it. But when it happened again and again I got curious and a bit concerned. Merritt’s pale pink nose would turn a bright, hot pink when she was excited or after a bout of fetch …
Kitten season is in full swing across the country. Although kittens can be born throughout the year, the majority of litters are born in the summertime. Sometimes the kittens are rescued with their mothers, and sometimes they have been orphaned. It’s crucial for any animal lover who happens upon an abandoned kitten to recognize what …
Most cats don’t drink enough water. Because cats are so self-sufficient, we assume they know what’s best for their health, and many times they do. But I learned the importance of getting a cat to drink more water — with a medical scare that involved a dehydrated cat. So, is your cat not drinking water …
Is Your Cat Not Drinking Water? 10 Ways to Get Your Cat to Drink More Water Read More »
Ever thought something along the lines of, “My cat’s ears are hot — is he sick?” Anthropocentric creatures that we are, humans tend to assume, regardless of context, that our own baseline experience of the world is some kind of universal standard, and that any deviation from it is strange, problematic or worrisome. For example, in …
