Catnip Strain Shop to Open?

Toronto may have a catnip shop for cats soon!

This is either a really strange idea or a brilliant one: Mikey Fivebucks, an entrepreneur from Toronto, is working on setting up a catnip dispensary with different strains of catnip for cats to enjoy. He says that the stuff sold in stores just isn't good enough for cats and that it lacks the lasting power that the catnip he wants to sell will have.

Fivebucks is trying to raise enough money on Kickstarter to launch his business and says he's been studying the art of catnip growing for over three years. The brilliance of this idea, of course, is that people LOVE their cats and might actually find novelty in supporting a shop like this.

What do you think of the idea of a catnip dispensary? Share your thoughts in the chat! 

Klat Categories: 
Pets
Cats

Cats on Road Trips

Do you take your cats along?

It's been a long time since we've been able to travel (I'm sure you can empathize!), but back when we did we always hired a pet sitter to feed and water our animals, take our dogs for walks and ensure everyone was happy and healthy. So when I saw that there are many people who enjoy taking their cats with them on trips, I was a little surprised.

I've seen plenty of dogs on trips and we've even taken ours here and there for shorter trips, but cats? It just seems odd to me. A friend of mine took her cat with her family while they traveled the country in an RV! I saw an article about a man who saved a kitten who then became his motorcycle riding companion. I can't even imagine my cats doing that but I suppose it makes sense. Plenty of cats have taken to the ocean on a boat or two, after all.

Does your cat go on trips with you? How does the cat fare?

Klat Categories: 
Animals

Giving Cats Plenty of Space

How do you help your wild ones climb to great heights?

Like any other creature, cats have their own personalities and preferences. Some couldn't care less about climbing to great heights; one of mine doesn't even like to jump much! She's not that old; she's just a chunky cutie who doesn't enjoy a lot of exercise. Another cat, however, would climb trees every day if she were allowed outside, so we have to make sure to provide her with plenty of space to do so indoors.

You can definitely use cat towers, and we have, but they can take up a lot of space and get in the way. What we've found is that integrating cat perches into our home works wonders. My husband put strips of carpet on top of some cabinets, for example, for them to lie on and scratch. He also put "steps" up to them in the corner, attached to the wall, that also act as spaces for climbing or napping. They are very much like these. My cat who doesn't like to climb as much even enjoys those!

How do you give your cats extra space in your home? Share your DIYs in the chat.

Klat Categories: 
Animals

Silly Cat Snow Behavior

How is your cat handling the snow?

Lots of us are watching the snow fall this week. Where I live, it's more normal than not, but too many citizens are finding themselves snowed in and without power for the first time, and my heart goes out to them. If you are used to the snow, chances are your pets expect it each year, too.

One of my dogs tolerates the snow (much better than she tolerates rain) and the other LOVES it, but one of my cats, Pumpkin, thinks it's a laser light! She darts to the window, watches it fall with palpable energy, then rushes around the house as if she's sniffed catnip or is chasing a laser. Then she runs back to the window to watch it fall again. Pumpkin is six, y'all. She has seen many a winter. This never gets old.

How do your pets behave when it snows? Is this your pet's first snow?

Klat Categories: 
Animals
Pets

Funniest Cat Tweets

Share yours in the chat!

One of my favorite things about social media is seeing everyone's pets! I love the pet videos, the videos, all of the fun things we get to share with one another. Having a bad day? Ask for everyone's pet pics and you won't be disappointed.

We also love to see people's funny pet tweets about their dogs and cats. There are whole summaries of all of the funniest tweets of the week each week you can even follow. My husband and I love to read these aloud in the car to one another. He'll drive us to get takeout, I'll read funny tweets and we'll eat in the car. It's a fun 2021 date!

Have you read any funny tweets about cats this week? Share them in the chat!

Klat Categories: 
Animals

Cat And Lynx BFFs

It's too cute!

Have you seen the story yet about the stray cat who broke into the St. Petersburg Zoo in order to become chums with a resident lynx? The pair are BFFs who snuggle and look absolutely adorable together. Given that the cat was a homeless kitten when they paired up, it now looks to the lynx as a mother figure.

I'm so in love with this story. Cats who become friends with other animals are always cute but I love how patient and caring this lynx is. It makes me wonder about all the different animals that could potentially be buddies if given the chance (and which ones would instead be dinner, and why!). 

Have you read any other cute cat tales this week? Share them here!

Klat Categories: 
Animals
Mammals

Valentine Presents For People Who Love Cats

Share what you've found!

If you have a cat lover in your life, you're in luck. There are SO many wonderful gifts for cat lovers, from earrings to stationary and even treats, that you're bound to find something purrrfect for your cat lover!

Take this fun list. Did you know they even made cat BINGO? This is the first I've heard of it but it looks really fun to play. The cat shoes and PJs are incredibly cute, complete with little ears, and while I can see why someone might like the cat shower curtain, I'd have to pass. It's much too busy for a bathroom and WAY too busy for a cat, don't you think? My cats are way too lazy to be that busy!

What kind of cat gifts have you run across lately? Share them in the chat!

Klat Categories: 
Animals

Do we pet our cats wrong?

Some experts say yes!

Every cat I've ever had the privilege of living with has had his or her own way of being pet that they preferred. Some like belly rubs; most have not. Some love face or head scratches while others like their backs pet. I've found that trial and error is the best way to find this information, although some cats will lead you where they want to be pet!

Some experts say that the way we pet our cats is totally wrong. This piece explains why and where to find the best spots that our cats prefer to be touched. Most of it is pretty obvious but there is some body language advice that could be helpful in discovering a cat's favorite spots.

Where does your cat like being pet? Share how you found out in the chat!

Klat Categories: 
Animals

Cat Poop Parasite May Increase Brain Cancer Risk

Yet another weird thing about cat poop

It seems like we are always learning about weird new things when it comes to our cats and their poop. Cats are super particular about their poop in the first place--I've heard about cats who have to be watched while they go, even! But did you know that a parasite found in cat poop might increase our risk for brain cancer?

Toxoplasma gondii, which usually spreads to humans in raw meat of all things, has been linked to brain cancer in humans. The link is for giloma, the most common of brain cancers. Researchers do say that more study is needed to really make any concrete statements about the link. 

Have you read any other weird news about cats recently? Share it in the chat!

Klat Categories: 
Animals

Pallas's Cat

I desperately want one of these giant floofs!

Lately I'm seeing the Pallas's cat everywhere and I sure wish I could have one of these floofy little beasties! They are enormous, furry and SO cute. I've never met one in person, though, so who knows? Their temperament may not work in my home, and I already have three cats as it is, but I know my next cat can't be short-haired, as I'm constantly vacuuming all the places my girls sit!  

 

I think the Pallas's cat is so adorable because it's like one of those big marshmallow pets, but I also have a long-haired cat and she needs a lot of brushing to keep her tangle-free. I'm sure this breed would be similar if not much more high maintenance, which would be a drawback.

Do you have this breed of cat? What do you think of it?

Klat Categories: 
Animals

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