Pet collars are sometimes seen as being a "dog thing," but collars can be useful for domestic cats, too. There is a range of pros and cons for whether we should fit our pet cats out with a collar. They are useful for identification and contact information, they can increase visibility, and collars with a bell can even reduce hunting...
Read more
Do you keep an eye on your cat’s pee? A strange question, perhaps, but when it comes to our pets, even subtle clues left in their biological habits can give us hints about their health and well-being. Monitoring your cat’s urination habits – the volume, color, odor, and frequency - can reveal early signs of problems, such as kidney disease,...
Read more
Living an indoor-only lifestyle is generally considered safer for your cat as it keeps them away from dangers such as predators, traffic, or even other people. However, many cats do roam outside, either as feral or stray cats, or as domesticated cats with outdoor access. For many cats, access to the outdoors allows many natural behaviors to be displayed, which...
Read more
Just like all male mammals (including male humans), boy cats do have nipples. Strange, huh? Unlike in female cats, male nipples aren’t hugely useful. They don’t produce milk, nurse kittens, or generally perform any purpose. They are formed very early in fetal development, before the genders of the kittens are determined, but only in female kittens do the mammary glands...
Read more
As a veterinarian, and proud owner of a lovely little tortoiseshell cat, I’ve probably heard every warning, joke, assumption, and fact about torties that exists. In fact, when my colleagues saw the fur color of my newest little rescue, they all laughed at me! Tortoiseshell cats are known as the "divas of the cat world," due to their feisty natures,...
Read more
One of the big decisions cat owners have to make is which sex of cat to choose. If they decide they want more than one cat (which has many benefits), they then have to decide whether a male or a female companion would be better. This is a tricky decision and a lot does depend on the individual cats and...
Read more
Cats often take care of their grooming themselves as they are very meticulous and hygienic animals. However, it is still good practice to brush your cat regularly especially if they have medium or long hair. This is especially important in the shedding season or if your cat isn't able to groom themselves well due to illness, lack of flexibility, or...
Read more
Most cat owners prefer their cats to be calm, relaxed companions, soothing us as they purr in our laps. We also want our cats to be active when appropriate, entertaining us at playtime as they run and jump around our homes. But sometimes this activity can become excessive. When a cat is meowing and vocalizing, running around at top speed,...
Read more
If you are looking for affordable and eco-friendly alternatives to clay cat litter, you are not alone. Choosing the right cat litter for you, your pet, your wallet, and the environment is an important aspect of being a responsible cat owner. Alternatives to typical clay cat litter are made from all kinds of materials, such as corn, paper, walnuts, wheat,...
Read more
Cats are well known for their inquisitive nature. They love to explore and investigate things, particularly areas within their territory—and that includes your home. However, you might want to keep your cat out of a certain room for various reasons. It could be that you don’t want your cat in the kitchen where food is prepared, or you might want...
Read more