When you look up the definition of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,) some of the signs of the condition bear a remarkable resemblance to some of the words we use to describe our cats. While there is no such thing as an official diagnosis for cats, if your cat shows any of the symptoms described below, she may just have a touch of ADHD.Continue Reading
If you’ve missed Jackson Galaxy and his cat mojo while My Cat From Hell is on hiatus on Animal Planet, fear not, you can now get a daily dose of the Cat Daddy every Monday! Jackson’s new web-based show, “Cat Mojo,” premieres today on Discovery’s Animalist Network. Episodes will be posted on Jackson Galaxy’s YouTube Channel. Today’s episode will go live at 9 am Eastern/6 am Pacific time.
Each week Jackson will share his thoughts on everything from cat-related issues like declawing and squirt gun diplomacy to his craziest behind the scene stories as a cat behaviorist. He will address trends in animal welfare and the feral cat issue. Rumor has it he will even share his musical talent on the show. All of this will happen live, and it will be interactive, giving viewers a chance to ask questions.Continue Reading
When it comes to understanding felines, few people know these lovable, but sometimes frustrating, creatures as well as Wendy Christensen. Wendy spent her entire life with cats, and has gained a deep appreciation of the many sides of feline behavior. She shares her wealth of knowledge in Outsmarting Cats: How to Persuade the Felines in Your Life to Do What You Want.
This book was first published in 2004. This second, revised edition was published in March of this year, and contains updated information as well as a comprehensive resource listing for everything from cat safe cleaners to cat furniture. Just like the original, this book addresses behavioral challenges ranging from aggression to litter box problems to scratching. The new, expanded edition also includes the latest scientific information on cats, high-tech solutions to feline behavior problems, a new section on TNR (trap, neuter, release) and fostering cats, and lots of new photos and illustrations.
Wendy’s focus is on nurturing the best possible relationshipContinue Reading
It is heartening to me that we’re seeing more and more books on feline behavior that provide solid, actionable information for cat guardians. Far too many cats are surrendered to shelters, or worse, released into the wild to fend for themselves, because of behavior problems that often aren’t all that hard to fix. In The Cat Whisperer: Why Cats Do What They Do – and How to Get Them To Do What You Want, Mieshelle Nagelschneider explains cat behavior and provides easy-to-follow solutions to common behavior problems.Continue Reading
I couldn’t imagine not sleeping withy my cats. Every cat I’ve ever had has slept on the bed with me. In fact, the few nights one of them didn’t, it was usually because something was wrong.
Feebee used to sleep in the crook of my arm, with his head on my shoulder. When I was still married, he used to sleep in between me and my former husband. In hindsight, perhaps that was not a sleeping arrangment conducive to marital bliss? Well, let’s just say picking the cat over the ex-husband was a good decision on all levels.
Amber slept curled up in my arms most nights. When Buckley joined us, she started out sleeping at the foot of the bed, but inevitably, at some point during the night, she would make her way up to where Amber and I were sleeping and wedge herself in the small space left between the headboard of the bed and the arm that was curled around Amber. This occasionally made for a rather uncomfortable sleeping position for me, but the joy of having the two cats softly snoring next to me was worth the discomfort, and I often waited until my arm fell asleep before I changed position.Continue Reading
The news cat lovers have been waiting for broke yesterday afternoon: Animal Planet has renewed “My Cat from Hell” for a second season! The show features cat behaviorist extraordinaire Jackson Galaxy, who’s tough on the outside but sensitive on the inside – especially when it comes to cats and their owners. Jackson helps frustrated cat owners improve their relationships with their behaviorally challenged cat.
Cat behaviorist by day and musician by night, Jackson comes to the the rescue with a guitar case filled with cat toys and training aides. Jackson trains the humans as much as he trains the cats, since the majority of feline behavior problems are caused by humans not understanding cats’ natural behaviors. What may seem a problem to humans is perfectly natural and instinctual behavior for a cat. Jackson helps cat guardians understand the reasons why these cats are causing their owners headaches, and then works with the owners and their cats to find solutions.
Animal Planet is currently looking for “behaviorally challenged” cats to be featured in the six episodes for the 2nd season, which will begin shooting in August. If your cat’s behavior is driving you or others crazy, if you need help getting your cat to behave, or if your spouse or boyfriend has threatened that it’s him or the cat, you and your cat might have a chance to be on the show.
For more information, please visit Jackson’s website. You must live in or around Los Angeles to be considered.
This delightful book for young readers aged 4-8 helps children (and their parents) understand how to interact with a cat. Wendy Wahman’s charming, whimsical, brightly colored illustrations accompany sound advice and will teach cat-loving kids some new facts, and perhaps empower nervous kids to make new feline friends.
What does a cat want in a best friend? Someone who knows just where to scratch. Someone who can read the many moods of a cat’s tail. Someone who knows when to play, and when to stay away.
My absolute favorite part of the book is this:
“I’d send a kiss with my eyes by blinking slowly…and hope I got one back.”
This book is purrfect for kids who are about to adopt a cat or meet a cat for the first time – especially for the overeager ones!
Wendy Wahman has won many awards for illustration, but her greatest joy is loving the two-, three-, and four-legged animals she has known. She is also the author of Don’t Lick the Dog: Making Friends with Dogs. She lives in Washington State. You can learn more about Wendy and her work on her website.
