Crystal Uys, Author at The Conscious Cat

6 Great DIY Cardboard Cat Scratcher Plans to Try Today!

You’ve probably been meaning to go to the store to buy your cat a new scratcher, but it’s an easy thing to forget, as they aren’t everywhere. But perhaps, instead, you’ve realized that you might be able to make one at home yourself— and you’d be right!

We rounded up some terrific plans that you can try, most of which won’t even require you to leave your house for supplies. Take a look and see which one sounds like the best idea for you.

About the author

Crystal Uys

Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!

How to Clean Cat Eye Boogers (Cat Eye Discharge) In 6 Simple Steps

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Cats’ eyes can be quite beautiful, especially when they are lit up with a love of life. Make-up artists often use cats’ eyes as inspiration to create some of the most gorgeous cosmetic looks ever seen. We are used to associating cats’ eyes with elegance and style—and maybe that’s why there’s nothing quite as unsightly as a cat with crusty, dirty eyes.

Often the culprit behind the grossness is something as simple as eye boogers. But what is it about these little balls of mucus that causes cats to produce them in such great quantities? And what is the very best way to get rid of them? Read on to learn my simplest and safest ways to de-gunk your kitty’s peepers and have their eyes looking stunning again in no time.

About the author

Crystal Uys

Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!

What is Cat “Rust”? What Causes It?

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Black cats have long been associated with bad luck, but their luck has changed significantly in the last few decades. With the rise of social media cat groups (like ours!), more and more people came together to discuss their love of “voids”, so named for their dark coloration and tendency to look like a cat-shaped void in pictures.

No matter how dark your black cat is, you have likely seen your cat napping in a nice sunbeam and noticed a reddish brown coloration on your cat. Is your cat becoming bleached or changing colors with age? If you’ve noticed this color shift in your black cat, then you’ve seen cat “rust”. Come with me as I discuss this interesting phenomenon!

About the author

Crystal Uys

Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!

Why Do Cats Hate Water So Much? Top 3 Reasons Explained!

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If you’ve ever tried to bathe your cat, you probably know just how much cats hate water. Most cats very distinctly hate water and getting wet in just about any situation, even if it’s a situation they put themselves in.

As in all things, there are cats that love the water and swimming. Some cats even love water enough to jump in bathtubs or swimming pools with people. These cats are few and far between, though (I’ve never met one!). Why do cats hate water so much? It seems so strange for them to hate something that is also required for keeping them alive. There are a few good explanations for why your cat hates water, though.

About the author

Crystal Uys

Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!

Calico vs Tortoiseshell Cats: How Are They Different?

Cats| 2 Comments

Calico and tortoiseshell kitties both have a striking appearance, thanks to their lovely combination of colors and unique markings. Many people don’t realize there is a difference between the two, though. Some people may not even realize that tortoiseshell is a type of cat but instead think that every cat with orange patches is a calico.

It’s also not common to realize there are differences in personality between these two kitty colors. People who own tortoiseshell cats will tell you all about “tortitude”, and calico cats also have a temperamental reputation. There are definitely distinct differences in both appearance and temperament with these two coat colors.

About the author

Crystal Uys

Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!

Can Neutering Your Cat Increase Their Life Expectancy?

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Neutering your cat is one of the most important procedures in your male cat’s life.¹ Every cat owner knows how bad male cat pee smells, and unneutered males tend to spray once they enter puberty. Aggressive behavior ensues; your male cat will wander and roam, become territorial, and will become a less-than-desirable cat to have around. But what about your male cat’s health? Can neutering your cat increase their life expectancy? I can answer that question with a resounding yes!

Having your male cat neutered will undoubtedly increase his life expectancy. Join me in deciphering this subject to better understand why you should neuter your cat if you haven’t already.

About the author

Crystal Uys

Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!

Do Cats Have Eyelashes? The Fascinating Answer!

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Eyelashes aren’t something we pay much attention to except when they cause irritation or aren’t there at all. Just like humans, many animals have eyelashes to protect their eyes from damage. Whether cats have eyelashes or not though is a topic that’s widely debated among the cat-lover community.

While some breeds like the Sphynx don’t have eyelashes at all, the majority of cats do have eyelashes even if they’re difficult for us to see. Come with me as I answer some commonly asked questions about cats, eyelashes, and whether our feline friends have them.

About the author

Crystal Uys

Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!

Can Cats Be Allergic to Humans? Symptoms to Look For!

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All cat owners know the risks of having allergy problems while owning a cat. Many of us can owners cat owners are not allergic and don’t develop allergy symptoms around their cats, but it is unfortunately a common nuisance for others.

Cat dander is a common allergen to humans, but that’s not the only culprit. Proteins found in a cat’s urine and saliva are allergy triggers and are the most common reason people suffer from allergies around cats.¹ But if the tables were turned, can cats be allergic to humans? Although rare, it’s possible for cats to be allergic to humans. Now that we know it’s possible, let’s explore how and why cats can be allergic to humans. I’ll also show you some common symptoms to watch for!

About the author

Crystal Uys

Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!

What’s Up with the Cute Fuzz Inside Your Cat’s Ear?

Cats| 2 Comments

We all know cats are cute and snuggly. They even have fuzzy ears. But what’s up with that cute fuzz inside your cat’s ear? Does it have a purpose? Or is it just extra hair? I have always wondered about this, so I decided to investigate!

As it turns out, that fluffy bit of fur inside your kitty’s ears is called ear furnishing, and it serves a much greater purpose than just making your cat look cute. Let’s find out more!

About the author

Crystal Uys

Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!

What is the Impact of Cats on Local Wildlife? The Surprising Answer!

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Did you know that cats have contributed to the extinction of over 60 species of wild birds, mammals, and reptiles?¹ Unfortunately, it’s true, and it seems they continue to adversely impact a wide range of species. In fact, cats are listed as one of the 100 worst invasive alien species in the world.²

I can’t blame them; cats are obligate carnivores and natural hunters. They need animal protein to survive, and chasing after and killing their own prey is a fun and fulfilling pastime. But, what ecological impact are cats having on our world’s biodiversity? Keep reading as I tell you about the shocking impact cats have on the wildlife of the world.

About the author

Crystal Uys

Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!

What Are the “Rules” for Pairing Cats in Your Home? My Favorite Tips & Tricks!

Cats| 1 Comment

Once you’ve jumped into owning a cat, it’s easy to want another furry friend to keep them company—or simply because you adore cats. We’ve all seen adorable pictures of cats cuddled up with each other, but introducing pets to new arrivals isn’t always easy.

You might think there are set rules for pairing cats. Females with other females, or males with males, or perhaps a female with a male. Gender doesn’t play as big a part as you might assume though. Here are some “rules” that I have developed for pairing your existing cat with the adorable kitten you’re planning to adopt.

About the author

Crystal Uys

Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!