Category: Cat Behavior
Toxic Xmas Holiday plants include: Mistletoe, Poinsettia, Holly, bittersweet, Boxwood, Jerusalem Cherry and Christmas trees. Some of these plants will kill if ingested, others cause painful intestinal upsets. Pine needles are toxic and can pierce intestines and cause other injuries. Always monitor your cats around these festive holiday plants or play it safe with fake!
Instead of surprise gifting a friend or loved one with a cat, take them to the shelter or breeder so that your friend can meet and choose the cat they connect with. Choosing a companion cat is a personal experience—a bonding between person and cat.
I frequently hear cat people say they are adopting a kitten to keep their older adult cat company. In some cases these older cats have been the king and queen of their households, enjoying the luxury of having their person all to themselves. And there are also situations that involve older, adult cats who have […]
Place litter boxes in areas where cats will not feel they can be trapped. Ideal litter box spots allow cats to see any potential threats and easily escape. Closets, cabinets and most bathrooms are bad places for boxes since cats can potentially be cornered.
Toss out the laser pointers and laser toys! In addition to being harmful to eyes, laser pointers and laser toys frustrate cats since they can never catch the elusive dot of light. Cats need the satisfaction of feeling their “catch” beneath their paws.
Convert outside cats into happy, healthier indoor cats. Make the indoors more fun than outside. Interactive toys, high places to climb, warm places to nap, yummy cat food, plenty of scratching posts, regular play and clicker training will help convince your cat that living inside 24/7 is preferable to the cold, wet outdoors.
I love senior cats. OK, I love all cats, but there is something special about senior cats. Maybe it’s their grey-around-the-whiskers-look or their fragility, maybe it’s the purr. I don’t know, there is just something very special about elderly cats. Maulee is my special senior cat. She is overseeing today’s blog entry about senior cats. […]
Even a weekend can be too long alone. In addition to fresh food and water, litter boxes need to be scooped on a daily basis. And, most cats enjoy company. Find a friend or hire a cat sitter to check on them at least once a day while you are away enjoying your holiday.
Marc Bekoff recently wrote a blog post for Psychology Today titled What Makes Us Uniquely Human? It’s a really good read. I am a Bekoff fan. He has made a big impact on my life and is one of the main influencers for my becoming a cat behaviorist. I grew up hearing how humans are […]
Are you thinking of adopting a purebred cat? Research before deciding on a breed. Look for a cat breed that fits your life style. Some breeds need daily grooming; others are intensely active, some are vocalizers, while others enjoy peacefully napping next to a window all day.