Thursday, 20 March 2014

About Cats: Welcome to Spring!

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From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats

I've heard that some writers just skim a book prior to reviewing it. However, I think if a publisher or author entrusts me with a free copy of a book, I should read the whole thing. Such was the case with our featured review today.

Speaking of the whole thing, I'm experiencing exactly that today with Spring, even if it's one day early. I'm loving the birds and bees, and flowering trees, but--- oh-oh! SNEEZE!

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Review: Paw Prints at Owl Cottage

Paw Prints at Owl Cottage, by Dennis O'Connor, is such a captivating book that I read it through twice before starting to write a review. Then I read his first book, Paw Prints in the Moonlight, because Toby Jug, from that book, figures so prominently in "Paw Prints."

Photo of Book Cover Paw Prints at Owl Cottage I'm really not a fanatic about reviewing books. However, Dennis O'Connor's writing is so rich with passion, humor, love of his cats, and detail that I didn't want to miss anything. His writing has often been compared to that of James Harriot. As I recall, the similarities are: the natural, easy writing styles, and their honest love and support of all our world's creatures.
photo courtesy of PriceGrabber

Search Related Topics:  books about cats  maine coon cats  purebred cats

Spring Brings: Sunshine, Surprises, and Sneezes

Along with sunshine, flowers, and trees blushing with blossoms, Spring brings all sorts of welcome and not-so-desirable surprises to those of us with cats in our homes, such as allergies, even for those cats who rarely go outdoors unless supervised.

For those of us humans with allergies, cats shedding their winter coats bring out sneezing, coughing, asthma, and other allergic symptoms brought by courtesy of cat dander.

Search Related Topics:  cat gardens  heat stroke  cats and birds

Top Picks Canned Cat Food

With two new kittens in our family, and new health concerns they brought with them, it is increasingly important that all our cats receive the nutrition they require for optimum health. These foods were selected for generally sound nutrition value, and not for specific health conditions, nor for the growth needed in kittens.You can do no harm by converting your own cat(s) to canned food from dry.

Search Related Topics:  canned cat food  chicken cat food  cat food ingredients

Cat Picture of the Week: Jennyanydots

This week's Cat Picture of the Week is a lovely, colorful tabby girl who was adopted with her littermate brother as tiny kittens.

Picture of Tabby Cat Jennyanydots
photo © Guest, SAMCat12

As often is the case, her adoptive parent was also the fosterer of her pregnant momcat, who chose to adopt the tiniest girl kitten and the only boy. The world of cats is blessed by these fosters and rescue groups who take pregnant cats off the streets, find homes for their kittens, then have them spayed to help reduce the overpopulation of cats.



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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
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This newsletter is written by:
Franny Syufy
Cats Guide
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Thursday, 13 March 2014

About Cats: Cats' Play

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 I thought it would be fun to center this week's newsletter around one topic, and what could be more fun than playing with our cats, or watching them play. But guys, you'll learn quickly that hands are not toys. Those kittens grow up quickly, and they can do serious damage with those claws when they're a bit bigger.

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How to Play With Your Cat

“Oh brother!” I hear muttered from the corner of the room. “As if I need lessons on how to play with my cats. It comes with the territory, right?”

Photo of Cat Jaspurr Playing in his Box SledPerhaps it does. But if your idea of play is down-on-your-knees, rough-and tumble play, such as you’d engage in with your labrador, perhaps you’d better read on a bit.  Please read on to learn more about how and why cats play.
photo © Franny Syufy

Search Related Topics:  play with cats  feline-human bond  cat toys

7 Ways to Stop Play Aggression

I learned long ago not to walk around barefoot with kittens in the house. From Amy Shojai, former Contributing Writer: “Cat aggression and cat attacks may be either predatory or play aggression, and look identical. But when the kitten grapples your bare feet and chomps down, it’s anything but fun and games for owners.  

You may suspect Fluff-Baby has turned into Demon-Cat, but truly, this is normal kitten behavior and he’s not channeling his “inner lion” and planning to eat you. Learn more about play aggression with kittens.


Stopping Water Bowl Games

Amy Shojai, former Contributing Writer on Cat Behavior, fielded Ask Amy questions regularly. Brittany was troubled by her 5 month old Harley who constantly splashed all the water out of the bowl, which she shared with Ripley. Since water play is normal at Harley's age, Amy suggested redirecting to an approved activity. She wrote:

"Rather than trying to stop the behavior, it's most effective to redirect it to a legal outlet." Read the rest of Amy's very creative solution to a very common problem. Also browse more Ask Amy articles.


Top Toys for Home-alone Cats

Bored cats can sometimes become mischievous cats while trying to entertain themselves. Fortunately, there are several toys that can help keep them occupied when they are home alone, and stimulate and challenge their curiosity and intelligence.

Be sure to alternate toys to stimulate interest, and don't forget the "freebies!"The photo at right depicts Billy and Joey playing with their Peek-a-Prize Toy Box.
Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy

Search Related Topics:  play-alone cat toys  cat toys  gifts for cats


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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
Email Me | My Blog | My Forum
 
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Must Reads
11 Wildlife Dangers to Cats
Is Your Cat in Heat?
Top 10 Mistakes of Cat Owners
Cat Behavior 101
Cat Years
 
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Thursday, 6 March 2014

About Cats: Happy Birthday Billy and Announcement

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March is turning out to be an exciting and busy month for me. Needless to say, I'm thrilled about my new job, but want to assure my readers that I will still be here at About.com, hopefully for many more years. About.com has always been my personal resource for almost every topic imaginable, and it is a pleasure to work side-by-side with so many talented experts.

If you enjoy my weekly newsletters, consider passing one on to a friend who loves cats. I always welcome new readers.

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Happy Birthday Billy!

Once again, the greeting card from VPI Pet Insurance reminded me of a birthday, and today is Billy's 11th birthday. He was born on March 5, 2003, and we adopted him on July 27th of that year. You can see a number of photos in Billy's Baby Book.

Photo of kitten Billy
photo © Franny Syufy

The day we brought Billy home, he was a scrawny little guy with an Upper Respiratoy Infection (URI). I rushed him to the vet the next day, and Dr. Dietrich estimated from his teeth that he was a very young kitten. He was astonished when I told him that he had been born on March 5th, as we...read more

 


Poll: Where Does Your Cat Sleep?

Some people complain of being sleep-deprived because of their cats. Others freely share their own beds with as many cats as will fit. How about you? Take this poll and tell the world where your cat sleeps.

In my family, our cats sleep in various places and positions during the day. Gaither, our tuxedo kitten, sleeps on a beanbag chair, on one or another of the cat towers throughout the house, or on...read more

 


Top Canned Cat Food
Recently revised, these are some of my personal selections of canned food for my cats. Some of them do include grains, so keep that in mind if you have diabetic cats. Also remember that cats can be finicky eaters, and their taste buds can soon tire of a previously favorite brand or flavor.
Search Related Topics:  canned cat food  chicken cat food  cat food ingredients

Important Announcement

It is my pleasure to announce my new position with Pet Healthy Holdings, LLC, manufacturer of Perfect Litter and other pet products. My position as Cats Expert will include responding to Ask Franny questions, either in a blog or video.

Screenshot of Pet Healthy Holdings LLC
image © Pet Healthy Holdings, LLC

In addition, the blog will include weekly articles on topics indluding cat health, behavior, cat food, cat litter, cat care, and more. As on About.com, I will not give specific advice on cat health issues, but will offer general information on various diseases and other medical conditions...learn more

 

 

Search Related Topics:  writing about cats  cat care  cat health


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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
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.

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

© 2014 About.com
 


Must Reads
11 Wildlife Dangers to Cats
Is Your Cat in Heat?
Top 10 Mistakes of Cat Owners
Cat Behavior 101
Cat Years
 
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