HEALTH FOR CATS

Thursday, 6 December 2012

About Cats: Winter Holiday Cats

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From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats

Happy December, Cat Lovers! Though the weather outside is frightful, there's nothing warmer than a blanket of cats. Please forward this newsletter to a friend, or send them the link below.

You may have noticed that this newsletter comes from a slightly different email address. To ensure receiving it each week, add cats@about.guide to your ISP's white list.

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Winter Holiday Cats

Photo Credit: © Guest Tropickandie

It's December and old man Winter is fast approaching. It's not too early to gather together photos of our Winter Holiday Cats, whether your family celebrates Christmas or Hanukkah

Kaylee is a beautiful longhair calico cat, with a patience not normally found in calicoes. By the way, it should be noted that Poinsettias are still considered mildly toxic to cats, although the ASPCA has downgraded their toxicity. Her photo was included in the Winter Holiday Cats Show and Tell feature on my site last year. I hope this year we can double the number of Winter Holiday Cats.

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Safeguard Your Cats' Health in Winter

Nothing can ruin the Winter holidays faster than a sudden illness of a loved cat, especially a senior guy in his final years. If you've put off his twice-yearly exam, it's time to see to it without delay.

Please don't overlook the health of younger cats either. Adult cats should be seen at least once a year for routine annual exams; more often if they are special needs cats. Kittens need the important first routine exam, then... learn more.

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Cat Hobbies Picture Gallery

In Ways to Enjoy Cats Without Having One, I suggested several hobbies, crafts, and volunteer activities that anyone who loves cats can do, whether or not they live with a cat. Several cat-lovers responded to my request for photos depicting their own cat-related hobbies and pastimes. The result is this photo gallery. Hand-made drawings, paintings, quilts, and other crafts make fine holiday gifts, both for friends and to donate to shelters and cat rescues. It's not too early or late to start right now.

I'd love to publish photos of your own projects. Please use "Cat Hobbies" as the subject of your email and send it to me at cats(at)aboutguide.com. Include... learn more.

Cat Picture of the Week: Donny

photo of sweet red tabby kitten I smiled with delight the first time I saw Donny's picture and knew I had to have him as my first Cat Picture of the Week for December, the month when we honor red cats. I still can't help smiling every single time I see that sweet face.
Image © About.com Member amberlyb

Donny wasn't doing so well at the pound, and when cat fosterer Amberly saw him she insisted on taking him and his littermate home to foster. Thanks to her loving care, the vet has given Donny a clean bill of health and he is the delight of the household, watching over all the other cats, both fosters and Amberly's own cats. Guess which category Donny fits in?

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Thursday, 29 November 2012

About Cats: Red Cats in December

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From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats

Winter crashed in today with a torrent of rain, including three short power outages. It's a great day for a cozy fire, but not so great when a newsletter is begging to be published.

Warm up with a mug of hot chocolate and pile on a blanket of cats, and we'll weather the storms together.

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Red Cats Celebrated in December

photo of red cat, Garfield It has been our tradition for several years to honor red cats in the month of December. While mellow as old gold, red cats are often the alpha cats of a feline family. Whether you call them red, orange, ginger, marmelade, or golden boys, red cats are a continual joy as family members.
Photo of Garfield, Credit: © GRACE LOCK, About.com Guest

More About Red Cats

Red Cats Profile | Readers' Red Cats | Share Your Red Cat

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Stress and Urine Spraying

Thanksgiving day was the one year anniversary of moving into our new home in a forested paradise, and we love it more every day. The cats do too, but being cats, they are more sensitive to external happenings than we are. For example, the day before Thanksgiving, we had problems with both toilets, which was traced back by the plumber to a drain blockage in our septic tank. I'm sure I telegraphed my stress to the cats, plus having a worker in heavy boots coming in and out of their home was the magic quotient for new stress. As if that weren't enough, Jaspurr has started marking his territory by spraying urine for several days, including the hallway near our front door...read more

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Separation Anxiety in Cats

During the holidays, you may have occasions when you just can't take your cats along, such as weekend visits to friends. Your cat may suffer from separation anxiety while you are away, which will be evident upon your return.

Amy Shojai, CABC, former Contributing Writer on Cat Behavior, gives help to make your absence less traumatic, and your homecoming joyful for both your cat and yourself. Amy notes that even cats who have never shown separation anxiety before can demonstrate it, as circumstances change. She says, "Think of separation anxiety as a form of grief. Cats don't mean to 'act bad,' they just miss you so much they can't help themselves." Read this detailed article, and put Amy's advice to use, and the next time you have to leave your cat, you'll be grateful for her sound advice.

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Cat Picture of the Week: Bonnie Blue

photo of tortoiseshell cat Our last Cat of the Week for November, Bonnie Blue was a rescue kitten, along with 10 others, from two mom cats after having been born across the road in bushes.

Charlie and his wife kept Bonnie Blue and her tuxedo sister, Banjo, after homes were found for most of the other kittens. Charlie describes Bonnie Blue as unlike any other tortie he's encountered, and his veterinarian agrees. Part of the reason is her "ice blue eyes" and part is her personality, which is playful and loving toward all the other cats in the family. Charlie wrote, "Her temperament is the best. Bonnie takes turns snuggling with all the other cats. She doesn't want anyone to feel left out." Bonnie's photo and full story appear in the Life With a Tortoiseshell Cat Show and Tell.
Image © About.com Member csmith700

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Thursday, 22 November 2012

About Cats: Happy Thanksgiving!

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From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats

Today, in the U.S., we all have much to be thankful for. I am thankful for God, our Country, my family, my loyal readers, and, of course, all our wonderful cats.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, dear readers, and don't forget to spend some time with your cats today.

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Giving Thanks for Cats We Have Known and Loved

Although I had cats in my teens, it wasn't until I met my husband-to-be in high school, that I acquired a passion for cats, which remains to this day. Here, then is my tribute to some special cats I'm thankful to have known. You will also be able to post your own Thanksgiving tribute to cats you have known and loved, with an easy form. Several readers have already posted their "Giving Thanks for Cats" Show and Tell stories, and I hope many more will be submitted by Thanksgiving Day this year.
_{Photo of my Jaspurr and Joey, Credit: © Franny Syufy}

My Thanks for Cats | Readers Give Thanks for Cats | Submit Your Story

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Please, No Table Treats for the Cats Today

Let's face it: some foods are just too rich for cats and will cause tummy upsets; sometimes even diarrhea. Cats with specific medical problems should eat the special foods prescribed for those problems. Giving them table scraps will only ruin their appetites for the foods they really need.

Learn more about human foods toxic to cats.

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Review: Litter Genie Cat Litter Disposal System

Disposing of soiled cat litter may seem to be a thankless job. However, you'll find it less time-consuming, and definitely more pleasant when litter box odor is eliminated by routinely... Read more

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Cat Picture of the Week: Maia

Photo of tortoiseshell cat Maia This week's Cat Picture of the Week is Maia, a stunning nine year old tortoise kitty who lives in Australia with her adopted Mom, Balbrenny.

Maia and a male gray and white littermate were taken in by Balbrenny when they were only four weeks old, and bottle-fed by her, and have been with her ever since. They're not without other four-legged companionship, however Maia, showing typical tortitude, shows even the dogs (a Staffordshire Terrier and a Rottweiler) who's boss in the household. Maia has a soft side too, and is very devoted to her mom. Like all the November Cats of the Week, Maia's photo and story first appeared in the Life With a Tortoiseshell Cat Show and Tell
Image © About.com Member balbrenny

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