Raw Food for Cats

Start by buying some frozen mice which you thaw before feeding.

Cats are carnivores by nature. Popular kibble barely even contains meat. Why are we feeding them a diet of processed food made mostly of grains and fillers? My furry friends are part of my family and I would NOT feed them most kibble I see on grocery store shelves.

Feeding your animal companions food from a bag is the equivalent of feeding yourself processed food. The result is obesity, disease, dehydration, damage to internal organs and a general feeling of discomfort. In the wild, cats will seek prey and eat most of the internal organs without the ill effects of bacteria, due to the high level of acid in the stomach. As with most animals, the cat’s digestive system is very different than that of a human.  

Starting a raw food diet for your cat is not easy for the human to digest. Some buy frozen mice and thaw before feeding. Some people buy scraps from a trusted butcher; some add probiotics for intestinal health. For a more holistic approach, small amounts of fruits, vegetables and grains can be incorporated but they are not necessary for the actual well-being of the feline. If you cannot stomach the raw food diet for the feline, a modification of your cat’s diet can also be helpful.

If you are interested in starting a raw food diet or modifying your cat’s current diet, it is wise to speak with a veterinarian to determine the best way to begin because some precautions should be taken.  

The Elegant Maine Coon

Though its origins are cloaked in mystery, the Maine Coon remains one of America's most beloved breeds of cat.  I'm proud to say two of those adorable critters call me slave.  Though rumors abound about their origins, the likely explanation is that long haired cats from overseas were introduced to the area and bred with the local domestic short-haired cats.

Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines was the first Maine Coon to be written about, back in 1861.  A Maine Coon won the Best Cat award in 1895 at the Madison Square Garden Show.  After that, the breed declined in popularity until its resurgence in the 1950's.  The Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association was formed in 1968 and the breed has continued to be popular ever since.Maine Coons are ideal for harsher climates, with long, thick coats.  Their unique tabby pattern and large, Lynx-tufted ears make them easy to identify.

One of the things that attract people most to Maine Coons is their excellent personality.  They are not demanding of attention but enjoy spending time with their owners.  They are not needy, clingy or obtrusive but simply enjoy being in your presence.  They are also exceptionally smart.  My first Maine Coon, a big boy named Seymour, would play catch by sitting down and catching things in his paws, and he would draw on paper if given a pen to hold.

Low maintenance, beautifully colored and fiercely independent, the Maine Coon is an ideal breed for beginners and experienced cat owners alike.

 

My Fierce Guard Cat

Most people get dogs when they want a good "guard animal" but I'm here to report that cats can be great guard animals too. Several years ago, there was a rogue dog in the neighborhood that probably had rabies or some disease that had turned it into a snarly creature on the prowl. Before this time, I had never met a dog I didn't like but when this dog showed up I could sense there was something terribly wrong. It seemed to come out of nowhere and rushed me snarling with its fangs showing.

 

My cat who had been soaking up some rays in a sunny spot on the roof suddenly leaped in between the vicious dog and me. Her back was arched and she was making sounds I had never heard her make before. Keep in mind the dog was a very large dog and she was just an average sized cat but she held her ground even as he encroached closer and closer. The dog was still snarling and I was very afraid for my cat because I thought the rogue dog was about to bite her and I didn't know what might be wrong with him. As he approached closer, she raised her paw showed her sharp claws in a motion that seemed to threaten to rip open his nose.

 

The dog finally reluctantly retreated. My cat continued to firmly stand her ground until he had completely left our yard. She was still making these funny sounds that I interpreted as, "Don't come back and don't mess with my Mom." With my heart still racing, I picked her up and she began purring about as loud as I had ever heard her purr. I was so proud of her I think I must have bragged on her to everyone I know.

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Oscar's Omen - Predicting Death?

A Creature Comfort?

Oscar lives in a nursing home in Rhode Island to help the visitors and patients feel at home. Although he acts like a normal cat…he sits on desks, plays with pencils while the staff is trying to work and walks around all night, he is far from being ordinary. Oscar has a special gift; he seems to sense pending death. In a nursing home of very ill patients, he has, ironically, found a welcoming home.

A few years ago, the nursing home decided an animal would help give it a more domestic and less medical feel for visitors and patients alike. Oscar belonged to a nurse; it must have seemed a good fit. Soon after, the staff noticed the usually aloof feline would occasionally spend time with a patient. That patient would then die with Oscar at his/her side. The staff recorded the events happening over a five-year period and the times Oscar had chosen a dying patient to visit. One time, the staff thought a patient was dying and they brought Oscar into the room so the patient would not be alone. Oscar would not stay and the patient did not die.

Due to the repeat occurrences and his level of accuracy, the staff began to take notice when Oscar lingered. The patients were usually far too ill to realize Oscar was with them; however, the staff was convinced enough to call the relatives to let them know their loved ones might be close to death. Relatives were happy to have the extra time and last visit with their dying loved ones. Those who could not make the final visit took comfort knowing their loved ones had not died alone.

 While the science behind Oscar’s extra sense and the ability for animals, in general, to smell illness and/or death cannot be fully explained or substantiated, believers can take comfort in knowing their loved ones may be helped or life may be prolonged by the presence of an animal.

Tortitude

Tortitude is a term of endearment used to describe the unique behavior of tortoiseshell cats. It literally means tortie + attitude. So, you can imagine where this is going. The tortoiseshell cat looks much like a calico but with little or no white fur and usually very dark with yellow and russet coloring. It is not an actual breed but more of a mutation. Herein, lays a dilemma. Are these cats a product of nature or of the environment in which they are raised? My tortie story begins like this…

I have a six-year old tabby cat who is the sweetest soul you will meet…very loving. My daughter and I thought it might be nice for her to have a companion since we were away from home most of the day. We decided to look for a cat outside of a shelter in need of a home (I cannot possibly go to a shelter and be expected to choose!). We had two criteria 1) must be a female and 2) must be living with other cats. We thought this would work well for our female tabby and we were already imaging them cuddling and napping together all day.

My daughter was in charge of the search and quickly found a kitty fitting our needs. She was a tortoiseshell and was very affectionate. We brought her home and slowly introduced the cats to one another. There were many squabbles at night and lengthy ‘stare-downs’ in the hallway. I knew this was normal and figured it would pass. But, after about two weeks, I began to realize that this new cat was just different.

To start, let’s just say that I now know why her previous humans named her Salem and why they asked a neighbor to cat sit and never returned for her…sad and harsh, but true. To be blunt, she is haughty, naughty, temperamental, strong-willed and feisty. She is terribly antagonistic to my tabby; at first it seems she is playing but she is just baiting her so she can attack. To make things worse, the tabby can hardly come near me because the tortie is quite possessive of me.

I decided to research the issue with the tortie after the vet made a comment about her behavior, summing it up as “she’s a tortie alright.” It seems the traits I previously listed are indeed indicative of tortie personalities. Further, torties are almost always female and, in my opinion, happiest in a one-cat household because she snaps at other cats. Sometimes she even snaps at me…especially if I am not giving her my full attention or petting her correctly. It’s a little bizarre.

To finish, I must say that my tortie is one of the smartest cats I have met and I have grown to love her dearly. She is talkative and knows how to get her way; she is persistent. She understands punishment and is sensitive to it (if you can catch her); she appears to be astute at planning her escape before she misbehaves. She can be unpredictable; each day I come home wondering what I will find. But, at the end of the day when she sits on my lap and stares directly into my eyes, I feel like we are soul mates. Even my tabby seems to be benefiting; she is more alert and gets more exercise since the tortie moved in. I just can’t help but forgive kitty for her tortie-ness and daily trespasses. And, gone are the days I secretly planned to have her microchipped with someone else’s contact information.

 

It's a Cat's World

There is wonderful place where cats (or any other animals) are not euthanized for being unadoptable. And, these cats live the good life! It’s called Cat World and it’s located at Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. Best Friends is an animal sanctuary located in a place fittingly known as Angel Canyon where animals are rescued from hard lives and misfortune. Best Friends provides veterinary care to the cats that come to the sanctuary from all over the United States and beyond. Often times, they are saved from kill shelters, hoarders, abusers and natural disasters. They may need medical care, socialization and/or rehabilitation in order to be adopted and they can receive it all at Cat World. The sanctuary allows the cats to receive the love and support they need to heal from the physical or emotional traumas and challenges they have faced. In addition, cat lovers and volunteers can visit the sanctuary to help tame, groom, feed and guide the cats to a forever home. Further, if a kitty is deemed unadoptable (and this may be the best part of all), he/she will always have a home at Cat World in the Angel Canyon.

In my experience, cats who have a rough start in life or those with past abuse or neglect are usually the best feline companions. They do not forget humble beginnings or difficult experiences and they truly love their human guardians for providing their basic needs: food, shelter and love. For more information, about Cat World, how you can help, or, if you are looking to adopt, please go to:  http://www.bestfriends.org/atthesanctuary/animals/cats.cfm.

The Scottish Kitty

A cat of Scottish Fold breed is most distinguishable by their flat, folded ears, but there is more to this type of kitty than just this feature.

Most people who pick up a cat don’t really stop to think of what breed it is. Most people know their dog’s breed but when it comes to the question “what kind of cat do you have?” most people answer with their cat’s color or gender. This is probably because many cat breeds and mixes appear indistinguishable to the untrained eye. However, almost everyone will be able to tell a Scottish Fold breed cat just by looking at one. There most distinguishing feature is their ears which begin to fold forward and eventually lie flat forwards when they are about three weeks old. Scottish Fold cats can achieve different levels of “fold”. A single fold features ears just slightly bent forward about midway down the ear while a triple fold lies so flat to the head you can hardly see their ears at all.

The “Scottish” part of the breed’s name comes from the fact the breed was discovered in Scotland in 1961. Scottish Folds are typically 9 to 13 pounds for males and 6 to 9 pounds for females. They appear (and are) very soft and round with thick short hair. They are also known for being very kind, sweet and caring cats who enjoy being around their owners and participate in a medium level of activity provided their owner or a sibling cat or dog start the play. For cat ladies who want a unique cat a Scottish Fold is a wonderful option. They are also often used as show cats.

Tabby Color Schemes

One of the most recognizable cat coat patterns is the tabby. Even so, tabby coats come in a surprising variety of colors and patterns. The rich swirls of color in a tabby cat's coat are what give us the English name for the pattern, which was derived from the French term "tabis." Tabis was a kind of watered silk fabric, which came in vibrant colors marked by swirls and wavy patterns.
The tabby coat is so ubiquitous, even in feral and wild cats, that most experts believe it is one of the original colors of the house cat's direct ancestor.
One thing all tabbies have in common is the "M" pattern above the eyes. Most tabbies also have dotted lines on their facial whisker pads (cheeks) and pencil markings on their face, often including eyeliner. Beyond that, the variety of tabby coats is surprising! They come in four different patterns, each of which can be one of five different colors.
Tabbies can also be marked only on their points. This is seen in the Siamese, as well as some other "pointed" breeds. When tabby markings are only seen on the head, feet, and tail, it is called a "lynx point." A lynx point can come in any of the following color combinations.
Tabby Colors
In order to tell what color a tabby is, check the tip of its tail.
Brown: Black or dark coffee brown stripes on a brown or gray background.
Blue: Gray stripes on a gray or cream background.
Red: Colloquially called "orange," "ginger," or "marmalade." The best kind of tabby. (Just kidding! I have red tabbies.)
Cream: Peach stripes on a pale background.
Silver: Black stripes on a light background, typically cream, but red, blue, and white backgrounds also exist. A cat with black stripes on a red background is called a "cameo tabby."
Tabby Patterns
Mackerel: Also called a "tiger cat," mackerel tabbies have long stripes that travel vertically from their spine down to their belly. The name stems from the fanciful resemblance to a fish skeleton.
Classic: More common in the UK than the US, this tabby has a bold circular "target" pattern on its sides.
Spotted: This pattern features big bold spots, sometimes lined up like broken mackerel stripes. (A mackerel tabby may have many spots, but a spotted tabby has no unbroken stripes.)
Ticked: Also called "agouti," this pattern is common in the Abyssinian. This cat has a ticked coat, in combination with the classic tabby markings on the face.
 

Plants + House Cats: Choosing Wisely

What is it about cats and house plants? No one really understands why cats want to eat grass, although there are many theories. This urge to eat green leafy grass is certainly part of a cat's attraction to our house plants, but "sheer cussedness" seems to be the major factor. Why else will a cat ignore a particular plant for years, only to one afternoon up and decide to knock the whole thing over, eat half of it, and roll around grinding the soil into your carpet?
Unfortunately, many common house plants are quite toxic. I learned this lesson the hard way years ago when I came home to find my cat Frankie lying flat out on the floor, lethargic and drooling, with an alarming wheeze. A quick glance around the room showed that he had eaten half of the Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) which had been quietly growing on my windowsill unmolested for months.
Luckily I phoned the SPCA's animal poison control line, and they were able to save Frankie's life with no long-term consequences. But there are plenty of other poisonous house plants which are toxic to cats, and the story might not have ended as well if Frankie had noshed on a Mother-in-law's-tongue plant (Sanseveria) or Kalanchoe.
Before you buy any house plant, be sure to check it against the ASPCA's Toxic/Non-Toxic House Plant List. You can ctrl-F to search the list for the plant you're planning to buy. Be sure to search by both the scientific and the common name. Only search by the first scientific name (i.e. kalanchoe) and not the full scientific name (kalanchoe pinnata).
The list of non-toxic house plants is long and confusing. Here are some of the easiest non-toxic house plants you can buy:
 

1. Spider plant
This ubiquitous plant is a hardy keeper and a fast grower. It can be tempting to cats, with its long grass-like leaves, so you will want to keep it out of their reach for the plant's sake. Spider plants are also one of the best plants for cleaning your home's air, according to NASA!
 

2. Peperomias
Peperomias come in a bewildering variety, but most of them have a vining habit and small, round leaves, many of which have a decorative texture or veined color.
 

3. Lipstick plant
This is a slow-growing but tough plant. Keep it well, and every year it will grow pretty red tubular flowers!
 

4. Begonias
All begonias are non-toxic, which makes them an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor plantings.
 

Bodega Cats

This endearing YouTube video sings the praises of the Bodega Cat, an animal which is practically an institution in New York City. Bodega cats patrol the aisles of bodegas, small independently owned neighborhood grocery stores.
As the video itself points out, bodega owners can get a fine for having a cat in their store, if the health department finds out. But they can also be fined if they get rats or mice in their stores. And a lot more customers are driven away by rats and mice than they are by cats! From the bodega owner's perspective, the cats are a much better deal.
Certainly a small percentage of the population, those who are very allergic to cats, is not a big fan of these feline store patrols. But in a city like New York, with such a thriving population of vermin, the promise of a mouse-free and rat-free store probably draws in enough non-allergic customers to make it worthwhile. Plus, surely enough cat lovers are drawn to the bodega cats to make up the difference!
Bodega cats are not just furry ambassadors for their stores. They are also a sort of four-legged signage; a promise that "this store is rodent-free." The cats are essentially advertising their own services!
The relationship between cats and bodegas is relatively recent, but the relationship between cats and shop owners is ancient. Cats have been earning their keep by killing mice for thousands of years. Cats have been associated with humans at least since Neolithic times. (In 2004 a 9,500 year-old Neolithic grave was excavated; inside, archaeologists found the skeletons of a human and a cat, laid closely together.) But their domestication (such as it is) really took off in the Fertile Crescent during the rise of agriculture.
Cats were spread throughout the world during the Age of Discovery, as they were brought on board ships to kill mice. Without ships' cats, the sailors would have lost untold amounts of food to rodents, and many people would have died before their journeys were complete.
New York City's Health Department wants to ban cats in bodegas as a health hazard. But they would do well to remember that the Black Death, which killed 1 in every 3 people in the world at the time, was spread partly by an explosion in the rat population which was brought about by the medieval fad for slaughtering cats because of their supposed connection to witchcraft.
Bodega cats: the world's only free-range, organic mouse traps!
 

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