HEALTH FOR CATS: May 2014

Friday, 30 May 2014

About Cats: Could Your Cat Be an Internet Celebrity?

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From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats

My little Gaither was an Internet Celebrity of sorts on Monday, as we celebrated his first birthday. But with that sweet face and his monkey acrobatics, he could well be an Internet star some day.

It's hot out there, dear readers. Stay cool, both you and your cats, until we meet again next week.

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New Review: How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity

I have a cat in mind who would make a terrific Internet star. So when a publicist offered a free review copy of "How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity," I eagerly accepted.

Photo of Book Cover: How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity
Owner: photo © Quirk Books, Used With Permission

You may or may not have aspirations of having your cat support you financially instead of vice-versa. But almost everyone I know loves to watch those viral YouTube videos of cats performing cute, scary, or wacky feats. Although you won't see any videos in the book, the dozens of full-color photographs by Dustin Fenstermacher, with penned in comments, are fun to see. Toss in the crack-me-up instructions, advice, and encouragement by author Patricia Carlin, and you have a 5-Star book.

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Help Your Cat Beat the Heat

It's 92 degrees fahrenheit on our deck as I write. Much too hot for any cat to be outside, as heatstroke can be the result.

Our cats will be okay though. They're indoor-only unless supervised, and then, only on our deck, so heat-stroke won't be a factor. They have four automatic water fountains, and I often float two or three ice cubes in the bowl for added interest.

Learn more about helping your cat beat the heat when it's an inferno outside.

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June Features Adopted Shelter Cats

June is less than a week away, and in June we focus on adopted shelter cats. One adopted shelter cat will be featured each week as the Cat Picture of the Week.

Submit your own adopted shelter cat's story and up to two photos. Perhaps your cat will be the next Cat Picture of the Week.

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Happy Birthday, Gaither!

My youngest cat, Gaither, turned one year old on Monday. We adopted him and another tuxedo kitten, Sage, at a Petco Adoption Day Event on October 12, 2013, and we fell in love with them immediately. They are both more endearing every day as we watch them grow and develop.

Photo of Kitten Gaither Before Adoption
photo © ARK Angels Rescuing Kritters

If you see Gaither and Sage together, you would swear that they were littermates. However, Sage was born in...learn more

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Friday, 23 May 2014

About Cats: Memorial Day Weekend

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From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats

Monday is Memorial Day, and while I honor the memory of several generations of family who served their country, I also remember our cats who gave us laughter, joy, and unconditional love.

Next week, I'll serve up a review of a book which can help bring fame and lovely lucre to those of us who care to exploit our cats. I have a cat in mind who would love being exploited if it kept him supplied with albacore tuna flakes by the ton.

Have a wonderful weekend and watch for the meteor showers from Comet LINEAR the next couple of nights.

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Checklist of Information for Your Cat Sitter

I can't remember the last time I was away from home overnight. and a large part of the reason is the worry about our cats while we're gone, as some of them have special needs, . Fortunately, we have at least two professional petsitters in our commiunity, at least one with vet tech experience. I still will leave a printable Checklist for Your Cat Sitter the next time we're gone overnight.

Photo of our cat, Billy
photo © Franny Syufy

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The Difference Between Cat Hair and Cat Fur

I personally never thought much about the difference between cat fur and cat hair until a reader asked me one day.

She mentioned that she had seen me use both terms when commenting on cats' coats in various articles and blogs. "Coats" - ahhh, there's another related term. When I was a kid in Arkansas, I used to say "what fur?" when my Mom would tell me to do something. Her reply was always "Cat's fur makes kitten britches." Learn more about cat fur, hair, and coat.

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Anal Gland Problems in Cats

Jaspurr has had diarrhea for well over a month, though Giardia has been ruled out twice. Lately though, I'd noticed lying near the litter box small pieces of poop which took on the shape of cats anal glands. I couldn't help but mention anal gland impaction as a possible connectiion to his diarrhea.

A cat's anal glands are one of his/her most effective means of communication, but like other organs, they are sometimes subject to problems. A regular check of your cat's body from head to toe can often detect potential problems before they become critical. Read more about cats' anal glands

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Before You Buy Pet Health Insurance for Cats

I'd have gone bankrupt long ago if I had not had personal health insurance. And in 2011, when my Joey was hyperthyroid and needed radioactive iodine treatment, his Pet health insurance, paid enough for that treatment to cover his policy costs for the year. We all have different financial situations, and our cats all have different health needs. You may, in fact, decide against it, depending on your own situation, and your willingness to gamble.

Photo of Joey after radioiodine treatment

Learn more about the facts you should consider before investing in pet health insurance for your cats.

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Thursday, 15 May 2014

About Cats: 14 Ways Cats Show Love

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From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats

I celebrated Mothers Day this year as I have in previous years, by donating to a animal shelter or foster group. This year my donation went to ARK (Angels Rescuing Kritters), the foster group/shelter that entrusted me with the care and love of my Sage and Gaither. These volunteers are my heroes with hearts of gold.

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14 Ways How Cats Show Love

It may be puzzling to learn that some of the ways cats show their love might cause us to think just the opposite. For instance a cat may shred your favorite chair with his claws to show his love (possession) of you, according to Amy Shojai, former Contributing Writer .

There's no doubt at all, though that these nursing kittens are all purring and kneading to show how happy they are, and how much they love their mom cat. No doubt, some of them will grow up to demonstrate their love for their human moms and dads in much the same way, as Amy described.

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Why do cats suck wool?

While human kids may suck their thumbs while clutching a security blanket, wool-sucking cats find their security in sucking wool blankets, sweaters, or anything they can find that brings back... Read more

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Cat Therapy for Autistic Children

Over six years ago, J. Manerling, the father of an autistic son, wrote a Guest Article, A True Story of the Miracle a Cat Brought to an Autistic Boy The father... Read more

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Cat Behavior 101

Figuring out cat behavior can be a real puzzle, sometimes. Cat Behavior 101 was created to help cat caregivers understand why cats do not always behave the way we expect them to, and to help them change those practices to more acceptable behavior.

Photo of cat Bubba scratching back of chair Behavioral problems in cats, such as avoiding the litterbox, excessive meowing and other attention-seeking behavior, biting and painful or destructive scratching can be corrected by first eliminating physical causes, then initiating a program of gradual retraining, with the help of these resources. Remember that there are no bad cats, only uninformed cat caregivers.

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