Month: March 2020

Custom Pet Portraits by Lili Di Prima

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After Ruby passed away, my dear friend Robin Olson, the author of Covered in Cat Hair and president of Kitten Associates, gave me a gift certificate for a custom portrait by Lili Di Prima, an artist based in Sardinia, Italy, to use toward a portrait of Ruby. The portrait brought joy and comfort during a difficult time, and I want to share this artist’s work with you.Continue Reading

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Pica: When Cats Eat Strange Things

Feline Behavior, Feline Health| 63 Comments

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Pica is the term used when cats eat non-food items. Most commonly associated with “wool-sucking,” a behavior where cats suck or chew on woolen, cotton or synthetic material, this compulsive disorder can progress to true pica where cats chew on and sometimes ingest anything from wood to litter to plastic grocery bags.Continue Reading

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Ask the Cat Behaviorist: Humping Behaviors in Neutered Male Cats

Feline Behavior| 15 Comments

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Dr. Marci Koski is a certified Feline Behavior and Training Professional who received specialized and advanced certificates in Feline Training and Behavior from the Animal Behavior Institute. While Marci has been passionate about all animals and their welfare, cats have always had a special place in her heart. In fact, Marci can’t remember a time when she’s been without at least one cat in her life. She currently relies on her five-member support staff  to maintain the feline duties of her household.Continue Reading

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Celebrate the First Annual Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day on April 17

Feline Lifestyle| 25 Comments

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Black Cats have long had their special day – in fact, they have two days. Depending on who you ask, Black Cat Appreciation Day is celebrated on August 17 and October 27. And for many years, every year on those two dates, I have asked myself why there is no Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day. Well, that’s about to change!Continue Reading

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Ruby’s Last Journey: The Long Goodbye

Ruby's Reflections| 38 Comments

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Today marks exactly three months since Ruby passed away. This is the last part in a four-part series about my experience during the last four months of Ruby’s life, from diagnosis to caring for her through her illness, to having to let her go. Click here to read part one, Ruby’s Last Journey: The Moment That Changed Everything, part two, Ruby’s Last Journey: Practical Considerations of Hospice Care, and part three, Water, Water Everywhere! Hydration for Cats with Kidney Disease.

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Why It’s Unlikely That You Could Contract COVID-19 From Petting or Playing With Your Pet

Feline Health| 2 Comments

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The American Association of Veterinary Medicine (AVMA) has updated its FAQ for Pet Owners to reflect the current information about COVID-19 and pets. Of course, we know by now that this is a rapidly evolving situation. The AVMA will continue to update its FAQ as new information becomes available, and I’ll share it with you here as quickly as I can.

The  update includes some reassuring information about why it’s unlikely that cats (and other pets) can spread the virus.Continue Reading

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Ask the Cat Doc: Skittish Cat, Continued Weight Loss, When to Start Joint Supplements, and More

Feline Health| 5 Comments

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Welcome to our regular “Ask the Cat Doc With Dr. Lynn Bahr” segment! Once a month, Dr. Bahr answers as many of your questions as she can, and you can leave new questions for her in a comment.

Dr. Bahr graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. Unlike most veterinarians, she did not grow up knowing that she would become a veterinarian. “It was a cat who got me interested in the practice and I am forever grateful to him,” said Dr. Bahr. Over the course of her veterinary career, Dr. Bahr found that the lifestyle of cats has changed dramatically. As the lifestyle of cats has changed, so did Dr. Bahr’s client education. In addition to finding medical solutions, she also encourages owners to enrich their home environments so that their cats can live long, happy, and healthy lives.Continue Reading

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Cat Hammock Wall Mounted Cat Bed

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Cats love hammocks, and this new take on a hammock bed also factors in that many cats love to be up high. A great choice for multi-cat households, this comfy wall bed from CatsPlay Furniture provides vertical space for perching, watching the action, and napping undisturbed.Continue Reading

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Ruby’s Last Journey: Water, Water, Everywhere! Hydration for Cats with Kidney Disease

Ruby's Reflections| 18 Comments

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This is the third part in a four-part series about my experience during the last four months of Ruby’s life, from diagnosis to caring for her through her illness, to having to let her go. Click here to read part one, Ruby’s Last Journey: The Moment That Changed Everything and part two, Ruby’s Last Journey: Practical Considerations of Hospice Care.Continue Reading

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RompiCatz Rustlin’ Mylar Toys (2023 Review)

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RompiCatz makes some of the best cat toys on the market. These toys from the creator of the popular Neko Flies are designed to engage your cat’s natural hunting and prey instinct. Ellen understands the importance of mental stimulation and physical exercise for indoor cats. She has been creating toys that move and act like real prey for many years. Her toys provide endless opportunities to keep cats happy.Continue Reading

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Mews and Nips: Why Do So Many Cats Have White Paws?

Mews and Nips| 3 Comments

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Have you ever wondered why so many cats have white “socks?” This pattern is not seen in wild cats, and, as it turns out, the pattern dates back 10,000 years to when cats first became domesticated, and is a result of genetic mutations, domestication and developmental biology. For more about the fascinating origins of white paws, visit LiveScience.com.

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

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