Month: November 2011

For the Love of Cats by Sandy Robins: Book Review (2023 Update)

Books, Giveaways| 31 Comments

For-the-Love-of-Cats-Sandy-Robins

Why do we love cats? Because they’re beautiful, smart, curious, playful and independent. These are just some of the reasons I thought of right off the top of my head.

Sandy Robins has taken answering the question a step further in her new book, For the Love of Cats: An A-Z Primer for Cat Lovers of All Ages, by offering up 26 reasons. Her alphabet covers interesting facts, anecdotes and clever verses, enhanced by Mark Anderson’s charming illustrations.

Among the interesting facts and anecdotes included in this cat alphabet:Continue Reading

About the author

How Cats Drink

Feline Behavior, Feline Health| 55 Comments

how-cats-drink

Ruby has a pretty elaborate ritual before she starts to take a drink of water. First, she sticks one paw into her water bowl and flings some water out of the bowl. Then she repeate the same thing with her other paw. Then she’ll lick her paws. It’s only after she’s apparently satisfied herself that yes, there is indeed water in her bowl (and after she has made a big mess all around her bowl!) that she will settle down and take a nice long drink of water.

Watching her go through this sequence again this morning made me wonder how many other cats have strange drinking habits. I’ve heard of cats who like to drink from a faucet, cats who prefer to drink from a cat fountain, cats who will only drink by dipping their paws in water and then licking their paws. Regardless of how cats drink, it’s important that they have fresh water available to them all the time.Continue Reading

About the author

Is Sullivan the World’s Smartest Cat?

Feline Lifestyle| 27 Comments

Sullivan cat who can read smart cat

I first came across the story of Sullivan and his sister Sarah, two 15-year-old formerly feral Maine Coon cats from Greenwich, NY, in the December 2011 issue of CatFancy. According to the article, these cats have learned to identify shapes, colors, and numbers. They can even grasp abstract concepts such as same or different and bigger or smaller.

Joan Kosby, Sullivan and Sarah’s human, was inspired by psychology professor and animal cognition expert Irene Pepperberg, who worked with Alex, an African Grey Parrot, and taught him many of these same skills. Kosby used repetition and rewarded the cats with food treats and praise.Continue Reading

About the author

Is your only cat lonely?

Feline Lifestyle| 17 Comments

Buckley's Story Chapter Seven - Amber and Buckley

November 19 is National Get a Pal for Your Pet Day, sponsored by Pets Add Life, a campaign designed to spread the word about the benefits and joys of pet ownership

Until Buckley came into my life in 2006, I’d been an “only cat” person.

First, there was Feebee, my first cat, who was the one and only love of my life for almost sixteen years until he passed away in April of 2000. In July of that same year, Amber came home with me as a soon to be “failed foster.” Her gentle, loving, wise presence, not to mention her almost constant purr, brought love and affection into my life for the next six years as my only child, until Buckley came along.Continue Reading

About the author

Freshpet Select Cat Food Review 2023: Fresh, Refrigerated Cat Food

Feline Nutrition, Products| 178 Comments

Fresh Pet Select cat food

I don’t usually accept food and treats for review here on The Conscious Cat, unless it’s something I’ve already thoroughly researched and/or tried. I won’t use Allegra and Ruby as product testers for diets whose claims I can’t verify. For those reasons, I was hesitant to try Freshpet Select, but after taking a look at their information, I agreed to a test.

Freshpet Select is a line of freshly prepared meals. According to the company, each recipe only includes select ingredients like high protein meats and eggs, and vegetables. The cat food contains no grains, although it does contain some pea fiber. As Freshpet Select states on their website, the recipe is much like a meal you would prepare for your family with simple ingredients you are familiar with and can pronounce.Continue Reading

About the author

New Partnership with Spirit Essences

Feline Health| 9 Comments

Spirit Essences flower essences holistic remedies for pets

I previously introduced you to Spirit Essences, the line of flower essences owned by nationally known feline behaviorist and star of Animal Planet’s “My Cat from Hell,” Jackson Galaxy. The company was founded in 1995 by Dr. Jean Hofve, a holistic veteriarian.

One of the many things that drew me to Spirit Essences was the fact that the spring water used in the essences is enhanced with Reiki energy. Both flower essences and Reiki are vibrational healing modalities, and as such, the two compliment each other perfectly. When Reiki energy is channeled into a vibrational remedy, it provides a balancing energy that further enhances and optimizes the specific energies within the remedy.

I am honored to announce that I have been asked to provide the Reiki that goes into the spring water used in the essences.

Continue Reading

About the author

Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth: The Most Effective Way to Prevent Dental Disease

Feline Lifestyle| 29 Comments

brushing your cat's teeth

Dental disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in cats. Seventy to ninety percent of cats have some level of dental disease. If left untreated, it can lead to health problems for your cat, ranging from bad breath, dental pain and loose teeth to systemic illnesses that can be life-threatening.

The most effective way to prevent dental disease is to brush your cat’s teeth. Ideally, you get your cat used to this when she’s still a kitten, but even older cats can learn to accept having their teeth brushed.

All the cats who came before Allegra and Ruby had dental problems. Feebee, my first cat, needed to have his teeth cleaned once a year. Amber also needed annual dental cleanings, and for the last two years of her life, she had to have her teeth cleaned twice a year. Buckley had stomatitis, a condition in which the affected cat essentially becomes allergic to her own teeth. The outward signs of this condition are red, inflamed, and often ulcerated gums, and this can be very painful for the cat. Buckley eventually had to have all her teeth removed.Continue Reading

About the author