Choosing And Placing A Scratching Post

Cats scratch to mark their territory - which is why they love couches so much!
Every cat scratches things. It's not just exercise and a way to loosen the shed claw covers, it's primarily a way for your cat to mark her territory. Many carnivores mark their territory by scratching - including bears and tigers, who scratch tree trunks. The higher the scratches are located on the tree, the deeper the scratches, and the more prolific the scratching, the more trouble you know you're in! 
 
Your cat works on the same principle, just smaller. And on the arms of your couch.

It's obvious to see why a cat would want to mark the couch. First of all, couch arms are very scratch-able. You can really dig your claws into that nice plush fabric! Second, the couch arms are vertical, which makes a nice signpost. And third, your cat is probably pretty fond of your couch, and wants to mark it as her own.
 
If you want to save your furniture and your sanity, you need to get some proper scratching posts. And if you want them to be used, you have to put them in the right place!
 
My all-time favorite scratching post was built for me by my uncle. It's a sheet of construction-grade plywood with a deck post attached. Every few years I reupholster it with remnants from the fabric store. It's sturdy, tall, and won't tip over when my cats scratch it. These are all the qualities a cat looks for in a scratching post.
 
Every cat prefers a different texture. You may have to try a number of different surfaces before you find one your cat likes. Few cats like the carpet that usually covers scratching posts. Look for posts with sisal, burlap, rope, and the new kind made of vertical layers of corrugated cardboard. Let your cat sample them in order to choose what she likes best.
 
Don't just cram it in the corner of the room. Put the post somewhere prominent, like the edge of an entryway, or a corner that is the focus of the room. If your cat already scratches the couch, put a scratching post right next to it. Every time your cat reaches for the couch, redirect her to the scratching post. (Put some catnip on it, to make it extra-enticing.)
 
You may think "A scratching post is kind of an ugly thing to be staring at all the time." But you know what's really ugly? A couch that's been scratched half to death! I think you will agree, a scratching post is a work of art by comparison!

Food for Finicky Eaters

Tiki Cat, baby food, Nutrical, and Science Diet A/D
Even a healthy cat can go through an occasional bout of being a finicky eating. The conventional wisdom is that you should "wait it out and he'll eat when he's hungry enough." But what these laypeople don't realize is that if a cat fails to eat (or under-eats) for long enough, they are at risk of Fatty Liver Disease. This is basically a feedback loop where not eating makes the cat feel sick, and the sicker the cat feels the less they eat, which makes them feel worse. Next step: liver failure.
 
Then again, you might just want to give your cat a special treat, maybe for her birthday, or for a holiday!
 
Either way, there are several great options out there for treating a happy cat, or coaxing an unhappy one to eat.

Baby Food
Meat puree baby food (the kind that comes in the little glass jars, and smells appalling) is one of my first go-to foods in this respect. I don't know what it is about this stuff, they must super-charge it with flavor or something. 
 
Picky cats love baby food, and you can often tempt them into trying little bits by dabbing the semi-liquid paste on their paws. It's also easy to feed in tiny amounts from a spoon, which is often easier on cats with limited mobility.
 
This is a super-premium canned cat food, made of whole, human-grade meat. Inside each can you will find shreds of real meat, basted with a little bit of broth. (No cheap marrow jelly here!) Tiki Cat can be difficult to find locally, but cats really go nuts for their offerings, which include grilled Ahi tuna, Ahi tuna with tiger prawns in tuna consomme, and more.
 
This is an ultra-high-calorie canned cat food. When it works - which to be fair is almost all the time - it is literally a life-saver. Personally, I have had mixed results with cats eating it. Unfortunately, it only comes in the 6oz size, and it seems that all my cats have had "freshness issues." Which means that at least half the can is wasted. 
 
This is a gel food which is packed with calories and nutrition. It is a "food of last resort," for those picky eaters who are in critical shape. It can also really help jump-start an animal's appetite, many cats will eat this when they will literally refuse anything else. And the gel form makes it easy to sneak into their mouths!
 

Cat Book Roundup

Sometimes, looking at those objects of our affection as they stroll nonchalantly through the house is just not enough.  Sometimes, you need more of a cat fix than the real thing can provide; a way to solidify your adoration into something tangible that will last for years.  These books on cats provide you with a cat fix, even if find yourself without a feline companion.  They are much easier to clean up after, too!

Why Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?
This book unravels the mysterious ways of cats, which is probably about as effective as trying to understand a woman, but it does give you insights into why cats do some of the crazy things they do.  Rated 4.5 stars on Amazon, it is a humorous take on some of the oddest cat behavior.

Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul
If you are looking for heartwarming, Chicken Soup is the perfect read.  Filled with anecdotes and stories about cats, it will make you love cats even more than you already do, according to one reviewer.  Achieving a perfect 5-star rating on Amazon, this is a great gift for a cat lover, or a treat for yourself.

The Big Book of Cats
The perfect coffee table collection, The Big Book of Cats features more than 200 black and white photos of cats, accompanied by writings from celebrated authors and personal stories and anecdotes.

Whether you are looking for a gift for a cat lover or a way to celebrate the felines you hold dear, these books about cats are sure to do the trick.

Hairless Cats in Cold Climates

We visited a home the other day that had multiple hairless dogs, and I started thinking about all those hairless cat breeds that also must suffer in our cold winter climates here in the north.  I suppose it is easier for cats than dogs, because cats can have an indoor litter box and never have to step foot outdoors in the winter.

Some might argue that cats will be unhappy if they are locked indoors all the time, and I certainly have never kept a cat solely indoors, so what happens if you have a hairless cat that also likes to venture outdoors?

I know there are sweaters for cats, but if you think of us hairless humans and how we dress to go outside in the winter, a single sweater seems grossly inadequate for keeping those poor kitties warm.  I can’t imagine the hassle of putting boots (if it could even be done) and other winter gear on a cat, but I can’t imagine sending them outdoors to freeze in the winter, either.

I suppose a cat is able to make its own decisions – if it wants to go outside badly enough to brave the cold in just a sweater, it is probably capable of deciding to do just that.  They are certainly smart enough to know when they are cold and ready to come in, but what if you aren’t there to open the door?

What do you think?  Can a hairless cat go outside in the winter?  How much clothing would you put on it?
 

Simon's Cat: Short Diversions for Cat Lovers

A lot of cat owners have seen -- and related to -- the hilarious black-and-white cartoon of a cat trying to wake his owner up in the morning in order to get fed.  This video is just one of many animated shorts called "Simon's Cat."

Simon's Cat is by a cartoonist named -- you guessed it -- Simon.  Watching his cartoons, there can be no doubt that they are truly based on at least one cat.  Any cat owner (and lover) will recognize typical feline antics in the videos.

My favorite is an older cartoon in the series, "The Box."  I love it because it reminds me so much of a cat I had until he passed away a couple of years ago.  Many cat owners can generate hours of good entertainment simply by putting a box on the floor for their cat to investigate, but Prince especially loved them.  He would sit inside them and meow (loudly -- he was deaf), and then go through pretty much the same process as the cartoon cat in Simon's Cat.  "Sticky Tape," a video where the cartoon cat gets tape stuck to his feet and can't get it off without getting it stuck to something else, also reminds me so much of Prince.

Some of the naughtier behavior, on the other hand -- such as in "Fly Guy," "Lunch Break," and "Santa Claws" -- is more like the young monster of a cat my husband and I have now.  Ivan.  The Terrible.  And oh, he is -- he has a talent for destruction.  Let's put it this way: He is lucky he is cute!

What about you?  What antics seen in Simon's Cat remind you of your feline friends?

Cat Agility Competitions

Run run run, jump! Pounce!
You have no doubt heard of dog agility training. This is a popular pastime, sport, and competition among dog owners, who train their dogs to leap jumps, dash through canvas tunnels, run up and over an obstacle and so forth. But dogs aren't the only ones who can have fun with agility training!
 
Cat agility competitions are growing in popularity. Many cat shows now feature agility competitions on the side, where competitors try to best each other based on both points score and best overall time. Your cat loses points for skipping a jump, or for going through it wrong (not weaving through the weave poles, for example). 

 
Although cats are led through the agility course by their handler sporting a lure (like one of the popular "feather stick" cat toys), they still need to learn the course at home. You can't just lead a cat through an unfamiliar course of jumps and hoops! The lure is used more to keep the cat interested and guide it through the course. No cat can be forced through an agility course cold.
 
To set up your own agility course, it is helpful to have a separate room or basement. If you have an outdoor cat you could theoretically set the course up in the yard. But from a practical standpoint, the outdoors offers too many potential distractions to be a good training arena for most cats.
 
(Also, is it just me, or do cats resent us trying to pay attention to them when they are outside? It's always like "Aw MOM, can't you see I'm being a fierce hunter and stuff?")
 
The basic agility props can be made with a little bit of forethought and scouting. You can buy a hula hoop at the thrift store, Walmart, or a toy store. You can set up jumps using cardboard boxes and mailing tubes. Weave cones and poles can be made with simple tools and a trip to the hardware store.
 
Many cat agility experts recommend clicker training to teach your cat to run the course. Clicker training is a useful tool in general, and well worth teaching your cat in and of itself! From there it's just a matter of spending time playing with your cat, and encouraging it to run, leap, jump, and chase a toy. What could be better? 
 
Even if you never end up entering a competition, feline agility training is entertaining for both you and your cat, a fun way to spend time together, and great exercise for kitty, to boot!

Time Lapse Reveals: Cats Are Annoying

This roly poly sleep-hating feline basically spends the entire night pestering his sleeping owner.

 

Have you ever wondered how much your cat REALLY annoys you in your sleep? If you are a cat owner, you may simply be waking up every morning with a vague feeling of not having slept well, but without any real memory of why. 
 
One enterprising cat owner decided to solve the mystery. And what he found is frankly hilarious (because it's not me) (even though it probably IS me, actually). This short video covers his entire night in just over one minute. And it is a busy, busy night - for his cat!

 
This roly poly sleep-hating feline basically spends the entire night pestering his sleeping owner. From plucking at the covers, to excessively active grooming, to lying on his chest and staring into the man's face. Strangely (to the cat), the man rarely rouses from slumber, although you do see him reach out to pet the cat once or twice in his sleep.
 
I recently introduced a new cat to my household. On her first night with me, I awoke in the middle of the night to find her sitting beside my head, staring down at my sleeping face. Her expression was a sort of dispassionate interest, as if she was observing a mildly engrossing museum display. When she realized that I was awake, she strolled casually away. "Doop dee doo," her body language said, "Nothing suspicious going on HERE, that's for sure."
 
It was… unsettling.
 
Meanwhile, my other cat always sleeps beside me. But every night when we first get settled in, he has to spend five to ten minutes vigorously grooming himself. Lick lick lick, nibble nibble, kick with the feet, roll over, stretch, get that difficult-to-reach spot. I just lie there and wait for him to finish, so that I can go to sleep.
 
I wonder how much more sleep we would get, if we could manage to successfully exclude our cats from our rooms? "Close the door," people say. They obviously don't have cats. There's nothing a cat hates like a closed door.
 
I live in a small cabin with a bedroom loft. It doesn't have a door - just a steep ladder. When I first moved here, my cat couldn't figure out how to climb the ladder. Every night he would sit at the base of the ladder and cry pitifully, until I climbed down the ladder to get him. There is nothing as smug as a cat purring as you carry him over your shoulder up the ladder to bed because he insisted upon it.
 

Cat Body Language

Cats are very expressive, if only we will slow down and look at what they are trying to tell us.  Perhaps that is what makes cats so desirable and so passionately loved by their people.  From displaying their affection through a gentle rub of their face to a show of anger with a hiss and glare, cats are almost as expressive as their human counterparts.  Here are just a few of the many ways cats express themselves.

Content
If cat owners could pinpoint one single action their cats take to completely win their hearts, it would probably be their contented purring and kneading.  Nothing soothes a stressful mind like the warm sound of a purring cat snuggled up in your lap.  The kneading isn’t too bad either, until they discover the fun reactions they get when they extend their claws.

Affection
Some cats are more affectionate than others, but most will display it by rubbing their face against yours, or against your leg.  The latter can be annoying, especially if you are trying to walk somewhere, but it sure beats being thwacked in the leg with a heavy dog tail.

Anger
You might hear from people that cats don’t express emotion.  All you need to do is make your cat angry and let the doubter meet the cat.  I guarantee they will be converted.  Cats who are angry will display it many ways, including pinning their ears, hissing, spitting and even attacking.  These can also be signs of fear or feeling threatened too, but usually you can tell the difference.

These are just a few of the many ways cats express themselves.  Whatever he is trying to say, learning to listen to your cat can help you get to know him better and help deepen the relationship.

Introducing The New Cat

In a nutshell: take it slow.

 

Bringing a new cat into the household can be a traumatic experience for all involved. I know cats who continue to hiss at each other even years after becoming roommates. Other cats seem to get along within a few days. How can you tell which scenario will happen, and how can you make it easier for both cats?
 
How Will Your Cat Feel About Another Cat?
Some cats will never accept a newcomer. If you have a cat who becomes tense and alert when she hears another cat on television, or who has been known to hiss and growl at a cat she sees out the window, these are signs you have an "only child" on your hands. However, if your cat is casual and unconcerned when she sees other cats, this is an encouraging sign.

Past behavior is a good indicator of future performance. Has your cat ever lived with other cats before? How did it go? Did she hide, fight, ignore, or actually cuddle the other felines?
 
Age makes a difference, too. All cats grow up with other siblings in their litter. The younger the cat, the easier it will adapt to these new circumstances.
 
How Can You Make The Transition Easier?
In a nutshell: take it slow. Set up a separate area for the new cat, whether it's a spare room, the bathroom, or a large dog crate. (If you have any friends, family members, or coworkers with dogs, ask around for a crate you can borrow.) Give it several days for the cats to get used to the existence of another cat before you take the next step.
 
Have patience. Be prepared to spend up to a month in the transition between "cat in separate room" to "two cats in the same space." Figure out all the steps in between, and pace them out accordingly. The specific steps will depend on your arrangement. 
 
At each transition, expect some hissing and growling. Have a squirt bottle handy, or be ready to clap your hands loudly if they begin to fight. Do not attempt to break up the fight by hand!
 
You will know it's time for your cat to "level up" and go to the next stage when both cats relax and become bored with the current stage. Grooming, eating, and yawning are all signs that a cat is relaxed. Your biggest goal is to avoid a situation where either cat will be surprised and startled. Remain calm, spend a lot of time reassuring both cats, and know that your patience will be well rewarded in the long run!

Pancreatitis in Cats

Like with many illnesses that afflict cats, the symptoms of pancreatitis can be difficult to determine.  Cats are notorious for hiding their pain and acting healthy, even when something is seriously wrong.  It is part of their survival instinct, which means you must be doubly alert with your cat companions in order to catch trouble early on.

Pancreatitis symptoms in most cats include dehydration, lack of appetite, lethargy, low body temperature and increased respiratory rate.  Contrary to other species, cats do not often vomit or show other outward signs than those listed above.

An ultrasound is the most common method of diagnosing pancreatitis in cats, followed by blood tests and in cases that are not severe, a biopsy of the pancreas. 

Cats with pancreatitis will usually need to be admitted to the veterinary hospital for fluids and constant monitoring.  They will also need pain relief medication, and some medications, such as dopamine to stimulate blood flow, may be administered.  If your cat is vomiting, the vet may opt to withhold food to ease the stress on the pancreas, and in some cases may insert a feeding tube into the small intestine to make sure your cat is getting the nutrients he needs.

Pancreatitis in cats can be deadly if it is severe, so catching it early is important.  This can be accomplished by always being aware of your cat’s health by knowing his eating, drinking and activity habits and noting any changes immediately.

If your cat is showing symptoms of pancreatitis, consult with your vet immediately.

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