Month: June 2017

Review: Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse: An Animal Lover’s Guide to a Healthy, Happy, and Extraordinary Life

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Here at The Conscious Cat, we’re all about health and  happiness for cats and their humans, and we also believe that cats can teach us a lot about living a healthy, happy life. In Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse: An Animal Lover’s Guide to a Healthy, Happy, and Extraordinary Life, animal-human health expert Carlyn Montes de Oca explores how our relationship with our furry family members holds the keys to optimal health.Continue Reading

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Review: Dr. Elsey’s Clean Protein™: Ingredients, Flavors & More

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I first heard about Dr. Elsey’s new line of food, Clean Protein™ from Dr. Elsey himself at last year’s American Association of Feline Practitioners conference. Given that I’ve long been a fan of Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Litter, which I’ve been using for the last two decades, I was pretty excited to hear that he was working on developing a high-protein cat food.Continue Reading

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Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats

Feline Health| 11 Comments

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Many cats like to chew on plants, and if you’re going to have live plants in your home, you must be aware of which plants are poisonous to cats. The effect of poisonous plants can range from mild gastrointestinal upset to severe neurological damage and death. Some plants may cause irritation and inflammation on contact with the skin or mouth, other plants may affect specific organs like the heart or kidneys. Continue Reading

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Mews and Nips: Cats Took Over the World Long Before the Internet

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There’s no question that cats own the internet. But a fascinating new study of DNA of more than 200 ancient cats shows that cats’ quest for world domination began more than 10,000 years ago. The study reveals when and how wild cats made their way from the edges of civilization into our homes and hearts. An international team of researchers found that cats’ dispersal happened in two waves, first from the Fertile Crescent and later from Egypt, and their migration likely included voyages on Viking ships. For more on this study, read the full story in the Washington Post.

If you missed any of the stories featured on the Conscious Cat this week, here’s a recap:Continue Reading

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High Sided Litter Boxes Keep the Mess Inside

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When I adopted Ruby seven years ago, I didn’t realize that I would be embarking on the search for the perfect litter box. Ruby is a vertical pee-er. She doesn’t spray. Spraying is usually done by male cats. When a cat sprays, he stands up, typically makes a treading motion with his back feet, quivers his tail and sprays urine onto a vertical surface such as a wall. Spraying is a marking behavior.Continue Reading

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6 Common Feline Eye Problems

Feline Health| 9 Comments

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While cats don’t have as many eye problems as dogs, feline eye issues tend to be chronic and frequently require a lifetime of care. Detecting problems early can make treatment more effective.

Healthy cat eyes should be clear and bright. The pupils should be of equal size, and the area around the eyeball should be white. Any changes in the eye’s appearance or the area around the eye can be an indicator of a health problem. Continue Reading

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Cat Tales by National Geographic (2023 Book Review)

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You know that any book published by National Geographic is going to feature gorgeous photos, and Cat Tales: True Stories of Kindness and Companionship with Kitties certainly delivers in that respect. This lovely collection of stories about awesome, caring, adventurous, hardworking and curious cats is sure to delight anyone who loves cats.Continue Reading

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A Visit With Samantha Martin & the Amazing Acro-Cats

Feline Lifestyle| 14 Comments

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I first met Samantha Martin two years ago, when she came through the Washington DC area with her Amazing Acro-Cats. I had been skeptical then. I’m well aware of the controversy that surrounds circus performances, but after talking to Samantha for almost an hour and watching her with her cats, I was able to put any misgivings aside. From the moment I met Samantha, I knew that I had encountered a kindred spirit. Samantha is passionate about cats and their well-being. She knew from the time that she was ten years old that she wanted to work with animals. A renowned animal trainer with a degree in animal husbandry and studies in animal behavioral sciences, Samantha has worked with all sorts of animals, from rats to chickens to groundhogs.Continue Reading

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Ask the Vet With Dr. Kris: Dr. Kris Answers May’s Questions

Feline Health| 14 Comments

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Welcome to our regular “Ask the Vet With Dr. Kris” segment! Once a month, Dr. Kris answers as many of your questions as he can, and you can leave new questions for him in a comment.

Dr. Kristopher Chandroo is a veterinarian, scientist, photographer, animal welfare advocate, and creator of Stress to Success (STS): The Essential Guide to Medicating Your Feisty, Grumpy or Reluctant Cat.  Dr. Kris wants  your cats to be twenty years old. And counting! And he wants to provide medication and therapy to them in a way that respects the bond between cat and human.Continue Reading

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Mews and Nips: Meet the New York Times Foreign Bureau Cats

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According to an article in Tuesday’s New York Times, it’s become a tradition at the paper’s foreign bureaus: far-flung foreign correspondents who populate their sometimes isolated outposts with local feline companions. Visit the New York Times for more on these cats and how they help journalists cope with being posted in war torn areas (includes wonderful photos of the cats.)

If you missed any of the stories featured on the Conscious Cat this week, here’s a recap:Continue Reading

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