T.S. Elliott had it right in his famous poem: the naming cats is a difficult matter! Some of our cats come to us already named, and we keep the name because it suits, or because the cat already responds to it. Others come with names we don’t like,  so we choose a new name for them. Either way, most cat parents put a lot of thought into naming a cat. And some wonder whether it’s a good idea to change a cat’s name, especially if the cat is an adult who responds to her given name.

Allegra came to me with her name, but I changed Ruby’s.

I chose to keep Allegra’s name because it fits her joyful and happy personality to a tee.

Ruby’s name was Cinnamon when I first met her. There have to be a thousand torties named Cinnamon, and the name just didn’t seem special enough for her. I wanted another gemstone name to honor Amber’s memory. I chose Ruby because ruby is a heart chakra stone, and it reflects her exuberant loving spirit perfectly. Ruby was about nine months old when I adopted her, and it didn’t take her long at all to respond to her new name.

I think changing a cat’s name is a very individual decision and depends entirely on the cat’s background and personality. I probably wouldn’t change a senior cat’s name, but I don’t think it’s a problem with a young adult cat, and definitely not with a kitten.

When you adopted your cats, did you change their names, or did you keep the names they came with?

The post Changing a Cat’s Name appeared first on The Conscious Cat.

Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling specific lots of dry pet food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

These products were packaged in a single production facility.  During routine FDA testing, a single lot tested positive for the presence of Salmonella.  There have been no reports of pet or human illness associated with this product.  In an abundance of caution, Natura is voluntarily recalling all products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014.

The affected products are sold in bags through veterinary clinics, select pet specialty retailers, and online in the United States and Canada. No canned wet food is affected by this announcement.

The affected products are:

Innova Dry dog and cat food and biscuits/bars/treats All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014

EVO dry dog, cat and ferret food and biscuits/bars/treats All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014

California Natural dry dog and cat foods and biscuits/bars/treats All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014

Healthwise dry dog and cat foods All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014

Karma dry dog foods All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014

Mother Nature biscuits/bars/treats All Lot Codes, All UPC’s, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014

Consumers who have purchased the specific dry pet foods listed should discard them.

For further information or a product replacement or refund call Natura toll-free at 800-224-6123.  (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM CST).

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When MyThreeCats.com asked whether we’d like to review the SmartCat Ultiate Scratching Post, I jumped at the chance. Allegra and Ruby love sisal scratchers, and I was impressed with the description of this particular scratching post:

• 32″ height allows cats to stretch fully and tone muscles -  I think this is very important for cats.  Most scratching posts are not tall enough to allow for a true stretch.
• Sturdy 16″ by 16″ base eliminates tipping and wobbling. Too many scratching posts tip over much too easily.
• Superior to carpeted posts that may snag nails. While I think which type of scratching surface a cat prefers is mostly a case of preference, I do occasionally find carpet fibers snagged in the girls’ nails, especially when we’re getting close to nail trim time.
• Assembles with two included screws. Even though the word “assemble” makes me twitchy, I figured even I could handle two screws!

Let’s see how the post fared with my two eager product testers.

Allegra barely let me get it out of the box before she inspected it. She was clearly trying to hurry assembly along.

Ruby was the first to test the post once it was vertical. My little monkey kitten thought it made a great climbing pole, too! I have yet to see her figure out how to climb all the way to the top, but for all I know, she’s done it when I’m not watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN4paC_xZaM

Both girls were fascinated as I tried the post in different locations to see where we would keep it. It ultimately wound up in the kitty playroom  (aka unused family room) downstairs.

I like everything about this scratcher. It was easy to put together, and it’s extremely sturdy. My two girls are lightweights, but I think even a large cat, running at the post at full tilt, couldn’t knock it over. It’s pleasing to the eye, and the sisal seems to be tightly attached and nice and thick.

At $74.95, this is not an inexpensive scratcher, but this is truly a case of you get what you pay for. I would bet that this scratcher would quickly become a favorite for your kitties, and it should last for many years. Highly recommended by me, and four paws up from Allegra and Ruby!

For more information about the Ultimate Scratching Post, and to purchase, please visit MyThreeCats.com. And while you’re there, check out the many other fun cat products they offer!

FTC Disclosure: I received this product for review at no charge from MyThreeCats.com. I also received a small fee for writing this review. Receiving the free product and the fee did not influence my review. All reviews on The Conscious Cat will always reflect my honest and unbiased opinion.

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A cat carrier is an important part of your cat’s life. For most cats, the only time they’re in a carrier is when they have to go to the veterinarian, so the association with carriers is often a negative and stressful one. But carriers can be vital in an emergency, and it’s a good idea to get your cats used to the carrier so that they can associate it with a positive experience.

Pick the right carrier

Carriers come in all shapes and sizes, from hard-sided crates to soft-sided carrying cases,and it comes down to your preference and your cat’s as to which one you choose. Make sure that the carrier is large enough for your cat to be able to stand and turn around in it comfortably. If you plan to travel with your cat, a larger carrier that can accommodate a small litter box may be a good choice.

Keep the carrier accessible at all times

Make the carrier part of your cat’s every day environment. Leave it on the floor and open so your cat can explore on his own and doesn’t view the carrier as something that only comes out when it’s time to go to the vet’s. By being able to walk in and out of the carrier, your cat will stop viewing it as something threatening.

Make the carrier interesting

Place a cat bed or soft blanket inside the carrier. If your cat responds to catnip, periodically sprinkle catnip inside the carrier. Leave treats or favorite toys inside the carrier. Some experts recommend feeding your cat inside the carrier.

Teach your cat the “in” command

Once your cat is comfortable with his carrier, you can use treats to train him to go in. Call him to the carrier, place a treat inside, and say “in.” When he goes in to retrieve the treat, praise him profusely. When he comes out, toss another treat into the carrier and repeat. Over time, you should be able to say “in” first, and your cat will go into the carrier on his own. Reward him with a treat while he’s still in the carrier.

Practice closing the door

Once your cat seems comfortable with the carrier, practice closing the door. Leave the room for a few minutes. If your cat is calm when you return, open the door and give him a treat while he’s still inside the carrier.  If he seems agitated or upset, don’t give him a treat (you don’t want to reward the undesired behavior), and try again later, with a shorter period of time.

Practice picking up the carrier

Once your cat is comfortable being inside the carrier with the door closed, pick up the carrier and carry it around the house. Give a treat once you set the carrier down and open the door.

Take your cat for a practice ride

Take your cat for short practice rides in the carrier. Even a short drive around the block will be sufficient. Reward your cat with treats when you return. The idea is to get your cat to associate being in the carrier and in your car with something other than a trip to the vet’s.

With the right carrier, and a patient, slow approach to getting your cat used to the carrier, you’ll avoid a lot of stress when it comes time for a vet visit, and you’ll be prepared for any emergencies.

How did you get your cat used to the carrier? Please share your tips!

Photo by David Martyn Hunt, Flickr Creative Commons

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It’s only when you grow up and step back from him―or leave him for your own home―it’s only
then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it. -  Margaret Truman

Happy Father’s Day!

Whether your kids are human or furry, enjoy your special day!

My dad passed away nine years ago. While our relationship was complicated at times, I always knew that he loved me, and I have lots of wonderful memories of him.  His life was shaped to a great extent by his experiences during World War II in Germany, and as a result of experiencing so much loss at such a young age, he held those he loved close to him – at times, too close for a daughter who wanted to spread her wings and fly from the nest.

My dad was not a cat lover. He liked animals, but he never made a real connection with them. I think he was a little puzzled by my love of and obsession with cats. I often wish that he could have known how the love of a small cat can transform a life – maybe it would have made his early life experiences a little more bearable.

The Margaret Truman quote above struck a chord with me. I always knew that my dad loved me, even during our most tumultuous times, but I didn’t really appreciate all the gifts he gave me beyond his deep and unconditional love until I left home. One of the greatest gifts he gave me was probably the last time I visited him (the photo above shows us at a café near his home). He was already very ill at the time, and we both knew that most likely, we wouldn’t see each other again. I treasure the conversations we had during that last visit to this day. Nothing was left unsaid, and we parted with much love, and peace, in our hearts.

If you still have your father, tell him that you love him today.  My dad had a long, sometimes difficult, but ultimately good life, and I miss his physical presence in my life.  His spirit is never far from me.

Photo at top of post by Ani Carrington, Flickr Creative Commons

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A British television program titled “The Secret Life of a Cat” documents how, for one week in April, 50 cats in the picturesque Surrey village of Shamley Green were put under 24-hour surveillance, fitted with highly sensitive GPS collars and miniature ‘cat cams’ which recorded their every move. The program is the result of a study conducted by Dr. John Bradshaw, an expert in human-animal interactions at Bristol University, who led the study alongside Sarah Ellis, a cat behaviorist at University of Lincoln’s Life Sciences department.

Each cat was fitted with a  specially-designed collar which collected GPS data on their location and level  of activity. The scientists could then remove the collars  and plug them into a central  computer installed at their temporary headquarters  in Shamley Green’s  village hall. If the GPS system showed interesting movement  patterns,  the cat in question would be fitted with a ‘cat cam’ – a tiny  surveillance camera designed by specialists at the BBC’s research and  development centre – which dangled from their neck as they went about  their  business. Read the full story on The Daily Mail to find out what the cats were up to!

Janea Kelley, Catster editor and publisher of the blog Paws and Effect, got to spend a day with a little tortoiseshell kitten named Freida who became known as the “throwaway cat” after being rescued from a ditch by Forgotten Felines of Maine. Freida has multiple health issues, including incredibly brittle bones, ongoing anemia, paper-thin skin, tiny size, and liver and gallbladder abnormalities. Freida was given tiny sweaters to wear because so much of her fur was missing. Forgotten Felines is sending Freida’s records to a geneticist at Tufts University in hopes of getting some answers as to the cause of her health issues. Read the full story of Janea’s visit with Freida and some of the other cats at Forgotten Felines of Maine on Catster.

This week on The Conscious Cat

If you missed any of the stories featured on The Conscious Cat this week, here’s a recap: On Monday, we shared why it’s important to watch cats for subtle signs of illness, on Tuesday, we reviewed the new eco-friendly cardboard toys from Hauspanther, on Wednesday, mystery writer Clea Simon’s cat Musetta guest blogged about the trials and tribulations of being a writer’s cat, and on Friday, we  shared some tips on how you can help cats find their forever homes during Adopt-a-Cat Month, even if you can’t adopt right now. And don’t forget to enter our giveaway for a beautiful cat garden flag from Portraits of Animals.

The kitty in today’s video looks like she’s having a blast. Do any of you have cats who do agility? Would you consider training your cats to do it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbvqSCs-FoE

Have a great weekend!

Photo sources: photo of cat with tracking device from The Daily Mail website, photo of Freida from Catster

The post Mews and Nips: The Secret Life of Cats appeared first on The Conscious Cat.

Congratulations, Laurie Sprague! You’re the winner of a handmade ceramic cat fountain from Thirsty Cats Fountains!

Look for an e-mail from Ingrid*.

*Winners were selected by random drawing. Winners need to provide a physical address to which the prize will be mailed within 72 hours of receipt of notification e-mail. If this information is not received, an alternate winner will be chosen.

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Each spring during kitten season, thousands of newborn kittens join the millions of cats already in shelters and foster homes across the country. The American Humane Association has designated June as Adopt-a-Cat Month® to help find these cats permanent homes.

Shelters across the nation are reaching out to their communities for help. Even if you can’t adopt a cat, there are other ways you can help find homes for cats during Adopt-a-Cat month, and every month:

• Adopt. Visit your local shelter or contact a rescue group. The love of your life cat may be waiting for you.
• Donate. Donate money, or find out from your local shelter or rescue group what they need most.
• Educate yourself about behavior problems. Far too many cats are surrendered to shelters because of behavior problems that could have been solved, often with very little effort.
• Volunteer. Volunteer to socialize cats at your local shelter. Become a foster parent. Help with adoption events.
• Share adoptable cats on your social media networks.

If you have other suggestions on how to help cats find their forever homes during Adopt-A-Cat month, please share them in a comment!

Meet two cats who are looking for homes this month!

Pandora is a little over a year old. She’s a curious cat who enjoys exploring the world. In between her explorations, she is extremely playful. She loves chasing after a rope or feather toy. She has done a fantastic job raising 3 kittens and is now ready to find a home where she can play and be loved. Pandora is being fostered by Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation in Arlington, VA.

Barney is a 11-month-old goofhead. He’s long, lean and full of energy. This gorgeous bright orange tabby and white kitten is loving and playful and would bring joy to any home. He gets along great with other cats. He also gets on great with kids. He’s ready for belly rubs or chasing after a toy. Watching his antics will make you smile.  Barney is being fostered by Kitten Associates in Newtown, CT.

Photo at top of post by Mendocino County Animal Control, Flickr Creative Common

The post June is Adopt-A-Cat Month: How You Can Help appeared first on The Conscious Cat.

Show your love of cats with these colorful garden flags, created by animal artist Bernadette Kazmarski. They are designed with images of Bernadettes’seline artwork, from the quick colorful sketches she creates each day to her detailed fine art paintings. They are printed digitally on a heavyweight, durable indoor/outdoor woven printable fabric. Each flag has a design on both sides, usually two different designs in similar theme and style, though light-colored designs have the same design on both sides in mirror image to prevent show-through. The flags are 11” wide x 15” tall and fit the most common garden flag bracket available, sold in most hardware and home renovation stores with a garden area.

Of course, I’m partial to Bernadette’s The Tortie Girls designs.  Each flag has the same design printed front and back, with a white background on one side and a yellow background on the other. “The Goddess” features Cookie and “The Roundest Eyes” features Kelly.

Enter to win a garden flag – winner’s choice!

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment and let me know which design you want to win. You can see all the available choices in the Portraits of Animals Etsy Shop. For an additional chance to win, share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or Pinterest, and leave a separate comment for each social network, letting me know that you shared. No need to post the link to your share. This giveaway is open to readers in the United States and Canada only, and ends Thursday, June 20. Winners will be chosen by random drawing*.

For more information, and to purchase, please visit Portraits of Animals on Etsy.

*No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Winners will be notified via e-mail. Prize winner must provide The Conscious Cat with a physical address to which the prize will be mailed within 72 hours. If this information is not received, an alternate winner will be chosen by random drawing. Winners will be announced in a separate post following the drawing.

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Guest post by Musetta Simon, feline muse to Clea Simon

Let me make one thing clear: I am Musetta, a cat. I am the cat, and I am not ungenerous.

Recently, it has been brought to my attention, however, that I share my person with several other felines. Well, if you can call them that, pale, thin imitations that they are. You see, my person, the writer Clea Simon, has been quite caught up recently with several feline characters, spending unconscionable hours devising escapades for them that she would never dream of allowing me – entrusting them with the health and safety of humans much more foolhardy than mine.

One of these, the so-called “feline specter,” Mr. Grey, does not bother me that much. Although he plays a key role in Clea’s latest mystery, Grey Dawn, as does a – dare I say it? – a werekitty, he is not a real threat to one such as myself. For one thing, Mr Grey – the companion of one Dulcie Schwartz, is a ghost. He does not demand pets or chin rubs, or any of those niceties that I have trained Clea to deliver. Besides, he is modeled on my predecessor as Best Cat in the World, Cyrus T. Cat. I have heard many stories of Cyrus, and although I think he must have been a bit of a wimp (he never bit anyone? Not even for fun?), I respect him, as all cats must respect their elders. We were once worshipped as divine for a reason.

It’s the other two whom I find troublesome. Wallis, for example. Wallis is a tabby of a certain age who cohabits with Pru Marlowe. And like Mr. Grey, she cannot demand chin scratches or belly rubs, but there are other issues. Issues that need to be addressed. As I read their latest outing, Parrots Prove Deadly (and, yes, we do read. Why do you think we like to spread ourselves over your papers? We read by absorption), a troublesome thought occurred to me. It was that, perhaps, Wallis’s sharp tongue, her absolute sense of her own rightness, was not to be taken seriously. That, perhaps, my person was mocking Wallis. And that thought was quickly followed by the idea that perhaps Clea was also mocking me. I had a hairball and a nap, and the feeling went away. But it is worth mentioning here, as I like to list all my grievances in true feline fashion.

Finally, there’s Esmé. She’s Dulcie’s living cat in the Mr. Grey books, and even though Dulcie refers to her as “kitten,” she’s clearly become an adult. A slightly portly tuxedo’d adult. Again, I sense that perhaps I am being belittled. Made a figure of fun in the pages of yet another scurrilous fiction. Mocked.

I brought this to the attention of my person just now. It’s late in the day, and she’s getting ready to sleep, which is the perfect time for me to alert her to my needs and start racing around. Her answer, albeit sleepily given, is simple.

“I love you best of all, Musetta,” she said. “All these other cats – these fictional cats – pay homage to you. You are, after all, the Best Cat in the World.”

For now, I am willing to accept this simple response. After all, having done my laps, I am ready to curl up on the foot of the bed and guard my person in her dreams. It’s what I do. It’s what we do.

I am not ungenerous. I am simply a cat.

Clea Simon is the author of 12 mysteries and three non-fiction books, including The Feline Mystique: On the Mysterious Connection Between Cats and Their Women as well as several other nonfiction books. For more information about Clea, please visit her website or her blog.

Photo of Musetta by Clea Simon, used with permission

The post A Writer’s Cat’s Work Is Never Done appeared first on The Conscious Cat.

We know cats love cardboard, and we know cats love Hauspanther toys, so I was pretty sure that Allegra and Ruby would love the new line of eco-friendly toys. Hauspanther released their popular Stacks and Atomic Flyer toys in a cardboard version, and surprised us by sending a set to Allegra and Ruby for testing.

The toys were an instant hit. The cardboard makes the toys nice and lightweight, which makes them fly across the floor easily. Allegra had a hard time deciding which toy to play with first!

The new Eco Stacks, shown in the photo at the top of the post, were Ruby’s favorite. They bounce around unpredictably. Ruby grabs them and tosses them up in the air.

Allegra and Ruby give these new Hauspanther toys four paws up!

The new Eco Flyers are now available in the Hauspanther Etsy shop, $6 for a package of 12 toys, three of each shape.

FTC Disclosure: Hauspanther sent us these toys for review. Receiving the complimentary product did not influence Allegra and Ruby’s rating of the toys.

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