Month: January 2016

Designer Homes for Community Cats

Feline Lifestyle| 5 Comments

designs-for-felines

Last week, I attended Designs for Felines, a fundraising event for the Washington Humane Society. The event’s purpose was to bring awareness to the Washington Humane Society (WHS) Cat Neighborhood Partnership Program (CatNiPP.) The program is aimed at addressing the needs of thousands of community cats living in the nation’s capital. For this event, participating architectural design firms built and donated creative outdoor shelters to provide cats with refuge from harsh elements.Continue Reading

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A Tribute to Snoes, Who Lives on in Tortitude: The BIG Book About Cats With a BIG Attitude

Feline Lifestyle| 30 Comments

tortoiseshell-cat

I’ve received a lot of wonderful feedback about my new book, Tortitude: The BIG Book About Cats With a BIG Attitude. Many of you have reached out via email and social media to let me know how much you love the book, and every one of your emails makes me so happy.

This past Sunday, I received an email from Anita Botman, whose tortie Snoes is featured in the book. Anita’s email was a little different from the others:Continue Reading

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Cats and Houseguests

Feline Behavior, Feline Lifestyle| 17 Comments

cats-houseguests

Cats are creatures of routine, and most cats won’t appreciate having this routine disrupted by the arrival of a stranger who may take over the spare bedroom, make demands on their human’s time, and generally disrupt their previously peaceful existence. In order to make having guests a pleasant experience for all members of your household, a little planning ahead goes a long way.Continue Reading

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Review: Dr. Catsby’s Bowl for Whisker Relief

Products| 11 Comments
Dr.-Catsby-bowl
Why is this bowl empty?

Have you noticed your cat pulling food out of the bowl, throwing it next to the bowl, and then proceeding to eat it? Perhaps your cat uses her paw to “fish” food out of her food bowl? Does she constantly demand food even though her bowl is half full? Does she consistently finish only part of her meal? If you notice any of these signs, your cat may be experiencing whisker stress.Continue Reading

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Living With Cats When You’re Immunocompromised

Feline Health, Human Health| 10 Comments

cat-immunocompromised

Millions of Americans have conditions that compromise their immune system, including diabetes, kidney failure, HIV, autoimmune disease, organ transplants, and cancer. An immunocompromised patient’s immune system is weakened either by the disease, or by the drugs used to treat the disease. As a result, these individuals have a reduced ability to fight off opportunistic infections which would normally not affect a healthy person.

Numerous studies have shown that pets have a beneficial effect on human health, most physicians now agree that by following simple, common sense guidelines, immunocompromised patients can minimize the risk of infection without having to give up their feline family members.Continue Reading

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Review: Show and Tell by Amy Shojai

Books| 1 Comment

show-and-tell

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Show and Tell, the third book in Amy Shojai’s thriller series featuring animal behaviorist September Day, her dog Shadow and cat Macy and a cast of other cats and dogs. I knew from reading the first two books in the series to set aside some uninterrupted time, because I found them impossible to put down once I started.Continue Reading

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The Mystery of Why Cats Love Bathrooms

Feline Behavior| 30 Comments

cats-bathrooms

Cats seem to have an endless fascination with bathrooms. Whether it’s sinks, bathtubs or shower stalls, I have yet to meet a cat who isn’t intrigued by at least one of those. And when was the last time you’ve been able to go to the bathroom without a feline escort?Continue Reading

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Review: Bavarian Cat Toys

Products| 18 Comments

Bavarian-cat-toys

The image above caught my eye on Twitter not long ago. It instantly transported me back to childhood vacations in the Bavarian and Austrian Alps. I had to investigate further! I was intrigued to discover that Bavarian Cat Toys contain valerian root, which, according to their website, has a smell cats can’t resist.Continue Reading

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Vaccines for Cats: What You Need to Know

Feline Health| 40 Comments

veterinarian-and-cat

There is no question that vaccines protect against disease, but they also present considerable risk. Far too many cats are still being over-vaccinated because too cat guardians, still think annual “shots” are necessary, and sadly, far too many veterinarians still recommend them. This is a complex issue, and it’s up to cat guardians to educate themselves so they can make the best decision for their feline family members. Continue Reading

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Cat Coloring Books Provide Relaxation and Fun

Books| 12 Comments

cat-coloring-books

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A couple of weeks ago, I shared some of the proven benefits of coloring for adults. Studies show that the structured, rhythmic motion of coloring eases you into a meditative state, which allows you to push negative thoughts and worries out of your mind, and which induces a profound sense of relaxation. Coloring is also a great way to explore your creativity. It’s no surprise that coloring books are topping bestseller lists around the world – and what’s even better is that there are a lot of cat coloring books available!Continue Reading

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How to Help a Shy Cat Become More Confident

Feline Behavior| 27 Comments

shy-cat

While many cats may  be initially wary of new people coming into our homes aka their territory, most eventually adapt as they get used to visitors. Shy cats remain anxious. If you have one of these shy cats, your friends may not even believe that you have a cat since she never comes out from under the bed when they’re visiting.

Shyness may be part of a cat’s basic personality, but shyness can also be the result of a constant state of anxiety. This level of stress can lead to physical illness, especially lower urinary tract disease. Helping your cat become more confident and comfortable with visitors will not only make her happier, it will also improve her health. Continue Reading

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