Have you ever seen a male calico cat? Probably not, because only about one in every 3,000 calico cats is born male, meaning there’s less than a 0.1% chance of a calico cat being a boy. Well, get ready for a crazy calico coincidence! I recently received an email from...
Cats are quite clean, but if you live with one, you know they can be untidy creatures. Cats leave a unique assortment of stains and messes around our homes that require constant cleaning, but here’s how to keep things nice and neat. Cat Hair — Everywhere! That luxurious, soft fur...
Cats pride themselves on their hygiene. Although it would be nice to think that their constant self-cleaning is performed for our benefit, their grooming actually serves a more instinctive purpose: to remove odors that would make them detectable to any predators or prey. Being self-cleaning and odor-free is definitely a...
With life getting back to something that resembles normalcy, I decided to ask my cat, Stella, how the pandemic and the lockdown affected her. Stella, are you sad I’ve gone back to the office? I worked from home for so long. Really? What home? This home. THIS home? I sat...
Quick Facts Weight: 8 – 10 pounds | male7 – 9 pounds | female Height: 10 – 15 inches | male10 – 14 inches | female The Look of a Persian Persians are well known for their long, luxurious fur and their distinct, sweet expressions. Persians have a flat face...
Check out our purrific pictures and photo contest winners! Grand Prize Winner: Lynx Category: Cat Nap Lynx is a 6-month-old Savannah who enjoys going for walks on his leash, watching birds and playing. This talkative boy meows when he’s happy, excited, hungry and sometimes for no reason at all. Sweet...
NOTE: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many events have been cancelled. But here are some virtual events you can check out. All month: Pet Wellness Month 8-10: Greater Philadelphia Pet Expo Check out this family pet expo in Oaks, Pennsylvania. Don’t miss the Cat Education area, where breeders will...
The sleek, silhouetted form of the black cat has long proved alluring to pop culture artists and writers, especially those working in the medium of moving pictures. Whether starring in movies, popping up in TV shows or even lighting up the social media scene, here’s a salute to 10 sophisticated...
If I had my way, Halloween would be celebrated year round. So it goes without saying that I love spooky stuff — and if cats are involved, even better! I came across artist Braden Duncan’s work while perusing Etsy, and was immediately drawn in. Her art combines her love of...
Cat book author and feline furniture designer Kate Benjamin lives with a clowder of black cats. Seven in all, with delightful names such as Jeremiah Beandip, Horacio Queso and Pico de Gato. She refers to them as her little house panthers, a term of endearment that has become a universal,...
Looking for a fun but not-too-scary Halloween wreath for your front door? It’s easy to make and will give your spooky decor a nice feline touch. Instructions Wrap the yarn around your wreath form. Keep wrapping until it’s covered. You can go back and add more wraps to any bare...
Cats are mysterious creatures. So it’s not always easy to know if your cat is feeling comfortable or nervous, but understanding the nuances of feline body language gives you an edge. “Cats have very sophisticated body language,” says Dr. Alison Gerken, a clinical behavioral medicine resident at Florida Veterinary Behavior...
The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the American Animal Hospital Association recently released new guidelines for defining cat life stages as recommended by a task force of feline medicine experts. The guide-lines help veterinarians tailor specific health-care plans for cats depending on their biological and lifestyle needs. The newly...
Autumn is upon us, and human kids aren’t the only ones who enjoy a clever trick (or a treat!) to celebrate the season. Here are six ways cats get tricky during Halloween — and all year long Chair hijacking You know the routine: Leave your chair for five minutes to...
For complex reasons, some people have phobias and fears about cats. I decided to ask my cat about it. I didn’t discover much of anything. Stella, did you know some people are afraid of cats? Aside from the mail carrier? The mail carrier is not afraid of you. The mail carrier...
Quick Facts Weight: 5 – 9 pounds Height: The Look of a Munchkin The Munchkin is famous for its short legs, the result of a recessive gene. The rest of the cat’s body retains normal proportions. Munchkins come in both long and shorthaired varieties, and in almost every color and...
2nd Place: Truman Truman is an eight-year old Somali whose human mom, Samantha, has given him the ride of his life as he is the ultimate travel companion. He’s lived in Austin, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and recently moved to Boston. He doesn’t care where he lives and never has...
A police bomb squad doesn’t know what to expect when called to inspect a suspicious package — but the contents of one Cincinnati-area bag contained a unique su-purr-ise. This winter, members of the bomb squad opened a bag that someone had left outside the door of a church, and out...
CBD has just recently exploded with popularity over the past few years, but CBD is not new at all,” says Dr. Lindsay Butzer, a Zesty Paws spokes veterinarian from Boca Raton, Florida. “CBD was extracted from the hemp plant in the 1940s and was recognized as a completely different substance...
Neat Kittyrama Feeding Mats | $26.99. available on amazon.com Eat Blue Tastefuls | $15.99/ 12-count 5.5 oz multipack. bluebuffalo.com Boss Cat Frozen Raw Entrée (Chicken and Turkey) | $6.99/8 oz and $12.99/16 oz. bossnationbrands.com Sleep Armarkat Cat Bed Pumpkin Shape | $45. armarkat.com Treat Temptations Meaty Bites | $3.28/1.5-oz pouch....
Interested in cat celebrations this month? We’ve found a few fun September cat activities to check out this month. NOTE: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many events have been cancelled. But here are some virtual events you can check out. *** All Month: Happy Healthy Cat Month National Pet Insurance...
When we think of fears and phobias, we mostly think about ourselves or dogs, but don’t leave cats out of the mix. “Cats often deal with fears or phobias very differently than we do or than dogs, so their fears and phobias often go underappreciated,” says Dr. Meghan Herron, veterinary...
Quick Facts Weight: 11 – 14 pounds | male9 – 11 pounds | female Height: 11 – 13 inches | male9 – 10 inches | female The Look of a Pixie-Bob The Pixie-Bob has a bobcat-like face, a spotted tabby coat and a short, bobbed tail. These cats come in...
You probably know that monkeys and apes are known to be most like people, but did you know that cats also share many similarities with us biologically, physically and psychologically? Genes A 2007 genome study found that about 90% of the genes in a cat are similar to human genes....
Cat lover and actress Kat Dennings has teamed up with Royal Canin, a global leader in cat nutrition, to encourage cat owners across the United States to pledge to take their cats to the veterinarian every year. Veterinarian and reality TV star Dr. Diarra Blue and kitten rescue and humane educator...
Taking your cat on a short trip to the vet or on an extended family vacation? Cats can become stressed when traveling, as the new sights, sounds and smells can be frightening. An outgoing cat who loves adventures and meeting people is an ideal candidate for extended travel like a...
In the fall of 2020, a thousand animals were rushed to the University of California Davis Veterinary Hospital, thanks to a wildfire in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California. A 2-year-old tabby named Ash arrived with third-degree burns, singed whiskers and fused toes. For six months, he fought for...
You’ve brought your new cat home, and she promptly hides under the bed or behind the dresser, only venturing out to eat or use the litter box once everyone has gone to bed. The problem is, if you leave that shy cat to her own devices, she’ll probably stay that...
Here’s the skinny on feline skin health: The skin owns bragging rights as your cat’s largest organ, with the liver coming in a distant second. In fact, the skin can represent one-fifth of your cat’s body weight. Cats rely on their skin and coat to perform many duties: regulating body...
Although I’ve had indoor-only cats for my entire adult life, I grew up with several outdoor cats who earned their weight in paper currency as “working” cats on my parents’ farm. Although these cats were friendly toward humans, I think they would have climbed the curtains if we tried to...
Cats are living longer than ever. When I began my veterinary career, a 20-year-old cat was a rarity. Now, I see at least a dozen every year. It’s wonderful that we get to spend additional years with our beloved companions, but increased longevity is a double-edged sword. A longer life...
Paige Winter was only 17 years old when she lost a leg and part of a hand to a shark. Despite all she’s gone through, this inspiration teen remains an advocate for sharks and, with the guidance of professionals is taking brave steps to overcome her fears. She was recently...
Who doesn’t love a cool tech tool, especially one that helps you get your beloved lost pet back? And we certainly love this one. National nonprofit Petco Love (formerly the Petco Foundation) has come out with a new searchable database that actually uses facial recognition technology to reunite families with...
Researchers at the Luxembourg Institute of Health are investigating a new approach to helping people who are allergic to cat dander, specifically, the major cat allergen Fel d 1. Allergen-specific immunotherapy aims to provide long-term relief from allergies, but much remains to be learned about the therapy. In a study...
What do our cats really need to eat in order to meet their nutritional needs? Chef Bobby Flay believes he has the answer. But what does a gourmet chef know about cat food and feline nutrition? As it turns out, he knows quite a lot. A lifelong cat lover and...
Looking for a way to celebrate our feline friends this month? Here are a few fun July cat activities. All month: National Lost Pet Prevention Month Check out gorgeous breeds at this TICA cat show. Photography © GlobalP | iStock / Getty Images Plus. July 10-11: Yellow Rose Cat Club...
Give your cat a one-of-a-kind drinking experience with Cat Taps. These fountains turn found objects into unique, functional works of art. Repurposed ceramic pieces curated from around the world are cleverly paired to create striking designs with a variety of themes and styles. You’ll find everything from an exquisite pottery...
Even though millions of Americans are vaccinated for COVID-19, the virus, breakthrough cases, and outbreaks continue to dominate news headlines. Each day scientists and medical experts learn more about the coronavirus, including how it can affect your cat. Catster did some digging, and here’s the latest information you need to...
There’s much more to adoption than just getting a cat out of a shelter and into a home. The mission of Rock N’ Rescue is to go that extra mile to ensure that the cat truly finds a forever home with people who love and appreciate her and can benefit...
The Savannah has a captivating exotic look. Individuals are sleek and tall with a golden to orange, black-spotted and striped velvety coat. They have a triangular shaped head with large, high set ears. Their weight can vary from approximately 8 to 25 lbs., often depending on the percentage of Serval...
Summer is upon us, and so are my cat’s weird ideas for filling up the time. This has to be the last time I ask Stella what she wants to do this summer. Hey Stella, do you want to do anything special this summer? Let’s go to the beach! Not...
Quick Facts Weight: 9 – 14 pounds | male6 – 10 pounds | female Height: about 23 inches | maleabout 21 inches | female The Look of a Siamese Highly recognizable, the Siamese sports deep blue, almond-shaped eyes, a chiseled, wedge-shaped head, sleek, tubular body and large pointed ears. The...
Highly intelligent creatures, cats spend many of their waking hours looking for ways to entertain themselves. We silly humans think they’re just “doing what cats do,” but those smarty-pants felines are way more creative than that. Cats stave off that pesky boredom in these five clawesome ways. Play With Food...
I love pillows and am always searching for the next unique one, especially if it has animals. That’s when I came across Viet Tran’s Etsy shop Draw Your Portrait. She creates amazing, customized home décor using the picture you send in. Her custom pet pillows are beautiful. They are perfect...
When Erin Merryn said goodbye to her cat, Bailey, in December 2018, she couldn’t imagine finding another cat even close to her feline best friend. Bailey had built up a loyal social media following and been the star of viral videos with Erin’s daughter Abby singing and reading to him....
Never underestimate the spelling prowess of your cat. Or the power of his nose. I’m betting that whenever you say the word, “treat,” the ears of your cat perk up, and he may even vocalize a meow that strangely does sound like, “Now, please.” And the feline nose knows that...
Let’s face it. Litter boxes are kind of a drag, a necessary evil cat lovers put up with for the greater good of cat ownership. But what if you can make your cat’s potty more enjoyable? Instead of hiding the litter box, embrace it and make it more pleasant for...
Most people were happy to see the year 2020 go — but a New England cat named Moose, who had been missing for five years, had an especially ecstatic start to 2021. On New Year’s Day, 12-year-old Siamese cat Moose enjoyed a blissful reunion with his human, Kendra Armstrong, five...
I’ve always loved boxes — my home is filled with them. So I decided to decorate one of my own using stencils — cat-themed, of course! Instructions Give the box a good sanding to get rid of any rough spots. Paint the box with two or three coats. Let it...
A medium-cooked burger plopped on a paper plate certainly won’t win any cuisine awards for taste or presentation. But, dress up that burger with melted gouda cheese, lettuce, slices of fresh avocado and tomato with a toasted, buttered bun, and your taste buds will thank you. Well, your cat may...
Cats are possibly the most athletic, graceful animals on the planet. Certain breeds, like the Oriental Shorthair and Cornish Rex, can scale a mantel filled with knickknacks without knocking a single one over. It’s one of their most impressive talents. So why is the internet filled with videos that show...
All July and August | Amazing Pets Show at the Grand Country Music Hall in Branson, MO. Includes trained house cats and dogs. Tickets at grandcountry.com. July July 10-11 | Purebred and Household Pet Cat Show, Amarillo Civic Center Complex, Amarillo, TX; sponsored by TICA Yellow Rose Cat Club,...
Common Causes of Tearing The medical term epiphora means excessive tearing. In general, when we investigate the reasons for epiphora, we can narrow it down to two broad categories: excessive tear production or inadequate tear drainage. Tearing is the proper response by the eyes when something is irritating them. Dust,...
Your cat pees on your bed. She leaves tootsie rolls just outside the litter box. Or, you see the urine on your pile of fresh, clean clothes. What’s happening? Is kitty mad at you? The answer is no. Might be a medical issue According to Dr. Carlo Siracusa, director of...
Cat adoption is associated with greater empathy and less separation anxiety for autistic children, according to a study published online in December in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing. The study, which was the first randomized controlled trial of cat adoption in families of children with autism spectrum disorders, was funded...
It’s a bunny! It’s a lynx! It’s a Munchkin! Wrong, wrong and wrong. The cat you are currently laying eyes on is, in fact, a Toybob — a seemingly perma-kitten with a kink in his tail, an owl-like gaze and a pint-sized physique. A Breed Of His Own His kinked,...
Is your cat a party pooper? When you get out the toys, does he just stare at you, wondering why he can’t just take a nap? Or does he play with a toy for 3 seconds then never touch it again? While most young kittens are bundles of energy who...
Who doesn’t love a good cat café? Especially one that opens in a city near you. Cool Beans Café opened up recently a few cities away from me in Gastonia, North Carolina. The opening made all of our local media here in Charlotte. I immediately reached out to the owners,...
Growing up an only child on acreage, Samantha Ginsburg was no stranger to finding friendship in the cats and dogs on the property. The experience didn’t just teach her the importance of the human-animal bond but also pragmatic care, husbandry and responsibility. “We lived on a couple acres, and people...
You keep your Kitty indoors at all times. Then you get a call from your vet — she tested positive for worms and fleas. You think, “Really? Can an indoor cat get fleas and worms? How is this possible?” The bad news is that even an indoor only cat can get...
My younger sister and I spent endless hours playing the original Memory game when we were kids. It’s been fun seeing newer versions of the game crop up — especially when cats are involved! This version in particular is hilarious. Have you ever noticed how some people look just like...
Though we’d like to think we have our cats all figured out, the truth is there are some communication barriers. And that can sometimes make figuring out their overall health a challenge. But, like humans, there’s a good way to gather some clues as to whether our feline friends are...
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (catvets.com) updated its policy in January to end the elective declawing of cats at all veterinary hospitals designated as Cat Friendly Practices. The AAFP has previously issued a position statement in 2017 that expressed the organization’s strong opposition to elective declawing. The elective declaw...
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Cats are the most popular pet in America. There are lots of reasons for this, and no doubt one is that they are considered low maintenance. But are they really? When compared to dogs, I suggest they are not low maintenance but just different maintenance. It’s true that few cats...
Looking for a way to celebrate our feline friends this month? Here are a few fun June cat activities. NOTE: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many events have been cancelled. But here are some virtual events you can check out. All month: Adopt a Shelter Cat Month Give your cat...
Sponsored content brought to you by Sleepypod. Yes, you too can teach your cat tricks. Trick training is a great way to bond together, while also providing enrichment through mental stimulation. To get started in trick training with your cat, keep your sessions short. Five to 10 minutes is plenty...
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...
Picture this — you’re sitting around, having a quiet evening when suddenly your cat barrels out of nowhere, running around the house like a madwoman. This behavior is called the cat zoomies, and it’s probably completely normal … but there are some instances when it might necessitate a trip to...
It happens every day. I get home and I’m greeted with a “rrroooowe, brrring, brupppp, brupppp!” or some variation of similar noises. No, I don’t have an old-fashioned telephone or my iPhone set to some nostalgic ring. This cat sound — commonly known as cat trilling — is coming from my small...
Jill Seuss, DVM, was watching her son’s cross country meet on a recent Saturday when she examined a client’ s cat – and the cat was nowhere near the vet. Dr. Seuss was using a piece of software called Petriage, one of an increasing number of tele-medicine applications that let...
The word “dogged” describes cat champion Dr. Jennifer Conrad perfectly. She is the founder and director of The Paw Project, which educates the public about why declawing cats is inhumane, with the goal of getting this painful surgery banned completely in the United States and Canada. And while there is...
A popular misconception is that cats age seven years (in human years) for each calendar year. In fact, feline aging is much more rapid during the first two years of life. A cat reaches the approximate human age of 15 during his first year, then 24 at age 2. Each year...
My cat, Stella, never met a bowl of wet food she didn’t like, which has become an issue in her later years. I decided to broach the topic, gently. ©cglade | Getty Images Hey, Stella — it seems like you’ve put on a few pounds lately. I know! Isn’t...
If a beautiful behemoth is what you’re seeking in a feline companion, the Maine Coon has what you’re looking for. The loyal, dignified, majestic Maine Coon represents all of this and more — and does so while serving some serious #hairgoals. Maine attraction Believed to be the oldest cat breed...
According to The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, between 6 and 10 million Americans are allergic to cats or other pets. If you’re an allergy sufferer who also happens to be a cat lover, you may be interested in low-allergen cats. But what makes a cat hypoallergenic? Low-allergen,...
What is Socialization? Socialization simply means teaching kittens proper behaviors, both with other animals and with their humans, and to feel relaxed and at ease in their new home and with people. In short, socialization is the act of helping your cat feel comfortable being handled, to be gentle during...
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Although most cat litters on the market are made from clay (both clumping/scoopable and non-clumping traditional clay litter), cat owners show increasing interest in eco-friendly options. These eco-friendly litters are typically biodegradable and made from sustainable...
Is your female cat acting weird? Maybe she’s sticking her butt in the air and meowing very loudly? What could be going on? We all know how important it is to have our cat companions spayed or neutered. But sometimes time gets away from even the best-intentioned cat caretakers — and...
Humans usually associate the action of “tail wagging” with dogs. Canines are fairly straightforward with their tail communication. Cats, however, are way more subtle in their body language and cat tail wagging is very nuanced. Related: 6 Ways to Talk to Your Cat Marilyn Krieger, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant and...
People who say cats aren’t very expressive and are impossible to gauge just don’t have a clue. A cat’s ears, eyes, body posture and, in particular, her tail, express exactly what she’s thinking and how she’s feeling. You just have to “listen” to cat tail language. “Since cats are such...
Henry, the famous long-haired tuxedo cat whose YouTube moniker was Henri, le Chat Noir, has made us laugh for about a decade with his cattitude-filled videos and an eponymous book. Sadly, the beloved kitty crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in December at age 17. He will be missed, but, thankfully,...
Have you ever wondered why does my cat knead on me? Sometimes referred to as “making biscuits,” kneading is a common behavior for cats. When kneading, cats push in and out their front feet with varying levels of claw action. This light scratching behavior with or without purring is something...
Cat hairballs don’t discriminate based on age or breed. You just hope that the hacking sound followed by the wet hair mass expulsion doesn’t land on your new living room rug or jar you awake in the middle of a sound sleep. The word hairball involuntarily triggers grimaces on faces...
How old was your cat when she was spayed? Increasingly, I’ve been seeing people adopting kittens at 7 or 8 weeks who have already been spayed! the advice of my vets, I’d never spayed a cat before she was several months old but admittedly my lady cat is 21 years...
With cats, unlike dogs, it’s not just a matter of putting on a collar and leash and giving treats. Habituating a cat to a harness and then to a harness-plus-leash takes time and needs to follow specific steps. We’ll start by warning you that this will look completely hopeless at...
In my role as an emergency veterinarian I treat some very sick cats. And I also meet some cat owners who feel very guilty. They wonder whether their cats might not have gotten so sick if they had recognized earlier that a problem was developing. Although some cat emergencies come...
Morris and Garfield are just a few of the iconic orange tabby cats that are part of our culture’s collective cat consciousness. It’s not hard to know why. Their big, bold and brightly colored coats is one reason. But, as anyone who’s lived with an orange tabby cat can attest,...
Cat enthusiasts are probably the most passionate demographic around. We love our cats! We wear our love, we record it, we photograph it and we share our love, wholeheartedly. While we love our cats and want our cats to love us back, sometimes we get a little too zealous in...
Have you ever thought about adding a purebred cat to your family? The Cat Fanciers’ Association recognizes 46 pedigreed breeds, all with different characteristics, appearances and behaviors. The CFA prefers the term “pedigreed cat,” as many breeds of cats were developed as hybrids or developed crossings. Pedigree references CFA’s ability...
Choosing a healthy cat food can feel overwhelming, especially when you look at the sea of brands, formulations and flavors. Before choosing a food, first identify your cat’s life stage. “Cats have different nutritional needs depending on where they are in their stage of growth and life cycle,” says Johnna...
If you’re both a dog and a cat person, you may give your dog peanut butter. The sticky-and-sweet treat is the perfect addition to a food puzzle or Kong and helps medicine go down better than a spoonful of sugar. But can your feline friend also partake? “Yes, cats can...
You may like to joke that your cat is allergic to you. If your kitties frequently hide, only emerging to let you know they’re hungry or to wake you up at 5 a.m. for no apparent reason, saying they’re allergic to people is a funny gag. But there’s a chance...
Go to any pet supply store and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the wide array of cat litter options. All those options make it hard to know which litter is best. Here’s how to pick the right cat litter for your cat. What are the common cat litter options?...
The party line has always been not to feed cats variety, but Athens, Georgia-based veterinary nutritionist Dr. Donna Raditic suggests rethinking this theory. Even for cats, she says, variety is the spice of life. BEGIN at the BEGINNING If you happen to get your cat as an inquisitive kitten,...
Almost every day I get emails from animal shelters begging me to care for kittens until they’re old enough to go up for adoption. Shelters (the term I’m going to use for both independent rescues and municipal facilities) are desperate for foster homes to take what I call “tweans”— weaned...
People sometimes call the average domestic cat a tabby, but tabby is not a cat breed — it is actually the pattern of kitty’s coat. And it happens to be the most common of all the feline coat patterns. Technically speaking, no matter what colors or markings you see on...
Looking for a way to celebrate our feline friends this month? Here are a few fun March 2021 cat events. NOTE: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many events have been cancelled. But here are some virtual events you can check out. All month: National Nutrition Month Sixth- through eighth-grade students...
Eric A. says after his cat suffered severe complications during routine surgery, he and his husband called a lawyer. “We want justice,” Eric says. Ann S. says after her kitten got injured at a neighbor’s house, she called a lawyer. “It felt good calling, so somebody could handle this for...
I walk into a cozy candle store in the capital region of Pennsylvania, ready to ask the staff to fetch the subject of my story — but there is no need. Wicks, a big, gray tabby, is already stretched out on the floor in the middle of Keystone Candle’s busiest...
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