Thursday 31 October 2013

About Cats: Spooky Cat Story From Ireland

If you can't see this email, click here

About

Cats

Cat Basics

Health & Behavior

Photos & Forums



From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats

It's been an extremely busy week here, and my veterinarian has suddenly become my best friend. Thank goodness for pet insurance, which I now also have for our two new youngsters, Gaither and Sage.

Tomorrow we bid goodbye to October, Halloween, and black cats, and hello to November, tortoiseshell cats, Thanksgiving, and cool fall weather. Whatever color your cats, keep them safely inside a "safe room" tonight, and go in there an reassure them as often as you can. See you again next week!

Connect With Franny:
Facebook | Twitter | Google + | Pinterest


URIs in Cats

It seems we possibly have an epidemic of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (aka URIs) on our hands.

Photo of Kitten Sage at Veterinary Officephoto © Franny Syufy

We adopted little kittens Sage and Gaither from a rescue group on October 12th, and both are happy and active kittens. However, after a week had passed, we noticed that Sage was snuffling, and I took him to our local veterinarian on the 21st. His temperature was 103.5, a little high (normal is between 100.4°F and 102.5°F) His weight was six pounds, about normal for a six month old kitten. While we were there, I pointed out a patch of missing hair above...read more


Spooky Cat Story From Ireland
I was happy to meet About.com's Ireland Travel Expert, Bernd Biege, when he sent me a story the other day about The Feline Guide in Glasnevin, a sort of a "GuideCat" he met while searching for a tombstone in Dublin's historic Glasnevin Cemetery. Photo of A Feline Guide to GlasnevinMap in hand, Bernd had vI was happy to meet About.com's Ireland Travel Expert, Bernd Biege, when he sent me a storyisited the cemetery, seeking the grave of Brendan Behan, noted Irish poet and rebel. Since the graveyard encompassed several hundred acres, a map was necessary - or was it? Was this little guidecat a feline mind-reader, or perhaps a figment...read more

 


Black Cats Folklore

Black cats have played a major role for centuries in folklore, superstition, and mythology. Black cats in the middle ages were believed to be witches' familiars, and some people even believed them to be witches incarnate. Many of these old superstitions about black cats exist to this day.

Explore the mythology and lore about black cats, witches, and other beliefs that carry on in the 21st century, especially around Halloween.


November is Tortie Month

Tomorrow marks the first day of November - the month in which we honor Tortoiseshell cats, who are cloaked with all the lovely colors of fall.

Tortoiseshell cats, aka "Torties," are wildly popular, along with their sister cats, the calicoes. Their colorful tri-color coat patterns, along with their unique personality, fondly called "tortitude" makes them a favorite among cat lovers. This year, our Tortoiseshell Cats Picture Gallery will include select photos from the Life With a Tortoiseshell Show and Tell entries submitted in 2013. The Cat Pictures of the Week in November will also be be selected from the Show and Tell gallery. Pictured here is colorful little Phoebe, who is already featured there.
Photo Credit: © Libbylou1971, About.com Member

About Tortoiseshell Cats | Read the Stories | Share Your Tortie



Related Searches
Featured Articles
Cat Picture of the Week: Boo Boo Kitty
Cats for Beginners
Cat Care
Care of Your Senior Cat
Behavior-Training
Pregnancy / Mating

 

More from About.com

Run Your First 5K
Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...>



Help! I'm Too Busy
Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>




This newsletter is written by:
Franny Syufy
Cats Guide
Email Me | My Blog | My Forum
 
Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics
You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Cats newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here.

About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy

Contact Information:
1500 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY, 10036

© 2013 About.com
 


More About Halloween and Cats
Halloween With Cats
Halloween Safety Tips for Cats
Halloween Cats Picture
 
Follow me on:
Facebook Twitter

Advertisement

Thursday 24 October 2013

About Cats: Halloween Cat Pictures

If you can't see this email, click here

About

Cats

Cat Basics

Health & Behavior

Photos & Forums



From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats

The article about preparing a raw food diet is hot off the press. I'm convinced it is the best way to feed cats, and perhaps even extend their potential life spans.

Next week's newsletter will come out on Halloween, when little ghosts and goblins will be about. Be sure to keep your cats confined to an inside room, so they won't escape when the Trick or Treaters ring the doorbell. And keep them out of the candy, please.


Connect With Franny:
Facebook | Twitter | Google + | Free Newsletters


Halloween Cat Pictures

 Although most cats dislike wearing costumes of any type, many kitties willingly pose near Halloween decorations. Enjoy this Halloween Cats Picture Gallery, and submit your own picture too.

Photo of Halloween Cat Reina
photo © Kathy Haack

These photos were taken from submittals to the Halloween Cats Show and Tell Gallery.

See the Halloween Cats | Show off Your Halloween Cat

Search Related Topics:  black cat month  halloween cats  show and tell

The Mating Game: Mating and Conception in Cats
Accidents sometimes happen, and despite our best intentions, yesterday's female kitten has suddenly developed hormones, slipped out of the house, and met up with several friendly tom cats. Before you even suspect it, she has  mated and conceived. Soon, you'll have a kindle of kittens on your hands. . Learn more about mating in cats and why it is so important to spay and neuter cats.
Search Related Topics:  mating in cats  feline estrus cycle  kitten litters

How to Prepare a Raw Food Diet for Cats

Since the experiments with Pottenger's Cats early last century, scientists have theorized that raw food diets made for healthier cats. It has now gone beyond theory, and is an acknowledged fact that raw food is the diet Nature intended. Although it may cost more than purchased cat food, the net gain in terms of healthier, happier cats, and the potential of lowered veterinary expenses are immeasurable.Read my latest article,, then consider a raw food diet for your own cats.


Cat Picture of the Week: Ophelia

Ophelia, aged 19, and third Cat Picture of the Week for October, shares her home with Salem, another black cat. Salem is also a female, also spayed.

Cat Picture of the Week Ophelia
photo © Brenda

In fact, Brenda, who was not allowed to have cats as a child, after loving these two for so many years, has decided she always will have nothing but black cats as her family cats.  Read more of Ophelia's story, and find out how you can share your own "parlor panther's" photos and stories.

Search Related Topics:  cat pictures of the week  black cats  spay and neuter


Related Searches
Featured Articles
Cat Breed of the Week: Sphynx
Kitten Care
Behavior-Training
Cat Food and Nutrition
Health Concerns
You and Your Cat

 

More from About.com

Run Your First 5K
Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...>



Help! I'm Too Busy
Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>




This newsletter is written by:
Franny Syufy
Cats Guide
Email Me | My Blog | My Forum
 
Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics
You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Cats newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here.

About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy

Contact Information:
1500 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY, 10036

© 2013 About.com
 


More About Black Cats
7 Facts About Black Cats
Black Cats Folklore
Black Cat Month
 
Follow me on:
Facebook Twitter

Advertisement

Thursday 17 October 2013

About Cats: Two Kittens Redux

If you can't see this email, click here

About

Cats

Cat Basics

Health & Behavior

Photos & Forums



From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats

This has been one of the most satisfying, yet the most challenging week in my lifelong history with cats. When we adopted Jaspurr and Joey over eleven years ago, we only had one cat, Bubba, to convince to accept them. Today, we have four adult cats, and a guaranteed cycle of successes and setbacks. For those of you with no interest in kittens, I'll continue to offer information for all cats.

Connect With Franny:

Facebook | Twitter | Google + | Free Newsletters

 

 


Two Kittens Revisited

My senior guys have seemed depressed for some time now, likely because of their ongoing health issues: Jaspurr's Hyperthyroidism, Billy's Diabetes and HCM, and Joey's ongoing Asthma. My son Lance and I have been discussing it for a few weeks, and came up with a plan.

Introducing: Gaither and Sage, New Cats Guide Kittens

Photo of new GuideKittens Gaither and Sage
photo © Franny Syufy

Lance had kept telling me about these black kittens, Gaither in particular. Although I refer to them as "brothers," Gaither and Sage are not related, in fact they were fostered by two different volunteers...learn more


New Kitten Meets Family

Some kittens may be amazingly resilient when being introduced to existing family cats. I have found this to be the case when we recently introduced Gaither and Sage to our older cats. However, most kittens will need more time to assimilate, and should have a safe room to give them a feeling of security.

You will handle the kitten's introduction to the family slowly, depending on the disposition of other cats in the household. . This article is part of the online Kitten Care Course, which covers all aspects of care for a new kitten.
photo © Franny Syufy

Search Related Topics:  pregnant cats  cat pregnancy stages  kittens

Destructive Chewing by Cats

Destructive chewing is a particularly timely topic for me, with two kittens recently added to our household. Gaither and Sage both have a typical kittens' energy level, and they play hard, and sleep equally hard.

While chewing on a cat toy designed for that purpose is great, chewing other things such as electrical cords, is hazardous, especially to the cat or kitten. Kittens may chew because they are teething, because they are bored, or even because they have a nutrient deficiency. Learn more about the things cats typically chew on, why they chew, and ways to prevent those bad chewing habits.

Search Related Topics:  teething kittens  toxic plants for cats  cat safety

Review: Kit4Cat Urine Sample Collection Sand

It's been a stressful few days because of possible problems with my Jaspurr's urinary tract. But thanks to the Kit4Cat Urine Sample Collection Sand, my fears have been eased.

Photo of Cat Urine on top of hydrophobic sand
photo © Franny Syufy

My vet needed a urine sample for the laboratory to find whether or not he still had protein in his urine - a potential indication of a number of urinary tract diseases and conditions. Thanks to Kit4Cat Urine Sample Collection Sand, we were able to get all the lab tests necessary for peace of mind... Read more



Related Searches
Featured Articles
Cat Picture of the Week: Binx
Breed of the Week: Somali Cat
Cats for Beginners
Cat Care
Behavior-Training
Health Concerns

 

More from About.com

Run Your First 5K
Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...>



Help! I'm Too Busy
Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>




This newsletter is written by:
Franny Syufy
Cats Guide
Email Me | My Blog | My Forum
 
Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics
You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Cats newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here.

About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy

Contact Information:
1500 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY, 10036

© 2013 About.com
 


Cat Adoption
Reasons to Adopt an Older Cat
Where to Go to Adopt a Cat
Before You Get Your First Cat
 
Follow me on:
Facebook Twitter

Advertisement