CAT'S EYES

Cat Facts: 7 Stops Along Your Cat's Digestive System

2013-10-03T19:42:00.000-07:00

The digestive system of the cat is a lot like ours. After all, we're both mammals, and our organ structures are very similar. But there are some crucial differences because the cat evolved to be an obligate carnivore, while we humans can eat pretty much anything we want. Take a trip with me through your cat's digestive system and find out what makes your cat tick.

This diagram shows almost every part of the cat' digestive system. The pancreas, however, is not illustrated, presumably because it's behind the stomach and not visible from this angle. Cat anatomy diagram by Shutterstock

1. The mouth

Typically a cat swallows her food in chunks rather than chewing: cat teeth don't have flat chewing surfaces like ours, and cat jaws only move up and down, while ours can move from side to side to aid in the chewing of vegetables and other such material. The tongue positions the food for shredding and tearing and mixes it with saliva to start the breakdown of carbohydrates.

2. The esophagus

After the tongue pushes the food toward the throat, the muscles in this 12- to 15-inch-long tube move it down to the stomach.

Cat' teeth are uniquely designed for grinding and shearing meat and breaking bones. Cat teeth, CC-BY-SA by Gabriel González

3. The stomach

From the esophagus, the food passes through a sphincter (a ring of muscles) into the stomach itself. Here, acid begins the serious breakdown of food, particularly proteins. A cat's stomach acid is strong enough to dissolve bones. The contractions of the stomach mix and grind food with secretions, turning it into a liquid before it passes to the next stage of digestion.

4. The duodenum and its pals: the liver and pancreas

From the stomach, the food slurry passes through another sphincter into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. Here, two things happen: the gall bladder releases bile and the pancreas releases several enzymes.

Bile, a chemical produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder, breaks up large fat molecules into smaller ones that can be absorbed in the next stage of the digestive process. The enzymes secreted by the pancreas (which unfortunately does not appear in the illustration above) neutralize the acids in the food slurry before the mixture passes into the intestine, and aid in digestion of sugar, fat and protein. The best known of these is insulin, which regulates the levels of glucose in your cat's body.

Grooming is an important part of the post-meal ritual: it keeps the cat safe by removing traces of food that might be detectable by creatures interested in hunting them. Cat cleaning its fur by Shutterstock

5. The small intestine

The small intestine is the longest part of the cat's digestive system. All nutrients are absorbed there: the small intestine is lined with tiny bodies called villi, which absorb proteins, enzymes, electrolytes and water.

6. The large intestine

In the large intestine, also known as the colon, the last available water and electrolytes are absorbed from the food. Solid feces form and beneficial bacteria produce enzymes that break down material that is more difficult to digest.

7. The rectum and anus

Here, the formed feces collect until they're ready to be ejected into the litter box. The transit time from mouth to anus is about 20 hours.

So, why does your cat go to the bathroom shortly after he eats? When food reaches the stomach and the digestive process begins, an "eject your cargo" signal is sent to the colon. This is called the gastrocolic reflex, and it's why cats (and people) feel the urge to poop after they eat.

There's nothing like a nap after a good meal. Napping cat by Shutterstock

Do you have any other questions about the feline digestive system? Are there digestive disorders or conditions that you'd like me to explore? Ask away in the comments.

Artcle by Jane A Kelley: Punk-rock cat mom, science nerd, animal shelter volunteer, and all-around geek with a passion for bad puns, intelligent conversation, and role-play adventure games. She gratefully and gracefully accepts her status as chief cat slave for her family of feline bloggers, who have been writing their cat advice column, Paws and Effect, since 2003. JaneA dreams of making a great living out of her love for cats.

The 5 Stages of Cat Pregnancy

2013-08-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

I'm a big advocate for spay/neuter. It's a crucial part of the equation for reducing the number of cats killed in shelters, and having your cat spayed or neutered improves cat health, reducing the chances of injury and disease. But a lot of us encounter pregnant cats at some point, whether through working at a clinic or shelter, an accidental liaison, or deliberate breeding.

Pregnant cat sitting on a table by Shutterstock

A typical cat's pregnancy lasts about nine weeks. Here are the five stages:

1. Fertilization

Cats reach sexual maturity as early as six months of age, with Oriental breeds generally reaching this stage the earliest. I've even heard of cats going into heat at five months old, which is a good reason to have your girl kitty spayed early. A litter of kittens can have more than one father, depending on how many toms successfully mate with the queen.

2. The early stage

You might be surprised to know that a cat can get morning sickness during the early stage of her pregnancy. For the first two weeks of her pregnancy, your cat may eat less because of the nausea, but by the third week she'll start eating again and begin gaining weight. By the third week, you may be able to feel the lumps of her developing kittens.

I count four kittens in this mama's belly. How many do you see? X-ray of a pregnant cat by Shutterstock

3. The middle stage

Now your cat starts gaining weight in earnest. The kittens are getting bigger, and depending on how many kittens she's carrying, she may start looking like she swallowed a football. If you want to know how many kittens your cat is going to have, your vet may do an X-ray at this time.

4. Pre-labor

This stage starts about a week before your cat gives birth. Her nipples will be very visible at this point, and you may even see milk drops on them. She will start looking for warm and safe places to create a nest for her kittens. You can help her at this time by offering nesting boxes in the places she seems to prefer. Your cat will stop eating about two days before she goes into labor.

Cat and her newborn kitten by Shutterstock

5. Labor and delivery

It will be pretty obvious when your cat goes into labor. She'll start licking her genitals and may even make noises of discomfort. If this is her first litter, she may pace and act anxious. She should give birth to her first kitten about an hour after labor starts. After that, the kittens should come every 15 to 20 minutes until the last one has been born.

Generally, mom cat will clean up the kittens: She'll lick them and eat the placentas to give her the extra nutrition she needs. Let her eat those placentas, even if you think it's gross.

There's no need to panic or rush your cat to the vet when she goes into labor. Just keep an eye on things and make sure the delivery is progressing normally. The kittens need to be with their mothers for a minimum of eight weeks in order to be properly weaned, but 12 weeks with mom is better.

Once the babies are weaned, get your queen spayed as soon as possible. She can go into heat pretty quickly once she no longer has to nurse her kittens.

Have you had a pregnant cat or witnessed a birth? What did you think? Share your stories in the comments!

Top 6 Reasons Your Cat Vomits

2013-03-11T20:04:00.001-07:00

After I graduated from college, I borrowed one of my family's cats to keep me company in my new apartment. One morning after she had breakfast, she vomited. After supper, she did it again. The next day, the same thing happened. I freaked out. I called a vet clinic, explained in a shaking voice what was happening -- I was sure she was dying! -- and got an appointment the next morning. A quick consultation later, the vet sent me home with a tube of Petromalt, and after the first dose she ejected the biggest hairball I'd ever seen. Actually, most vomiting is caused by fairly innocuous things, and here are the top culprits.

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Sick-looking calico cat by Shutterstock

1. Hairballs

When your cat grooms himself, loose hairs get stuck on the little comblike barbs on his tongue. Because he can't spit that fur out, he swallows it, and if too much of it clumps in his stomach, it doesn't leave a lot of room for food. You can help to prevent hairballs by grooming your cat regularly. Even short-haired cats benefit from regular brushing.

2. Eating too fast

My cat Bella is a puker, and the fact that she vacuums up her food as if she's never going to eat again is the main reason. In order to get her to slow down, I squish her canned food down into the bottom of her bowl so she has to lap it up rather than scarf it down in huge chunks. Another trick is to use a food bowl with a lump in the center, which will force your cat to slow down.

3. New food

If you switch cat food brands, something in the new product could irritate your cat's stomach. Switching from a dry-food-only diet to canned food can also cause vomiting, because canned food is quite rich compared to dry. Try switching back to the old food to see if the vomiting stops.

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Cat eating from a cat grass garden by Shutterstock

4. Eating grass or plants

If you have plants in your house, your cat may get the urge to chew on the leaves. Be sure that the plants in your home are non-toxic to cats. Consider planting a cat grass garden so your feline friend will leave your houseplants alone.

5. Parasites

Heavy worm infestations can cause vomiting. If you see evidence of worms in your cat's vomit or feces, get to your vet and get some deworming medicine. You may pay more up front for the stuff your vet provides, but in the long run you'll save because you won't be buying dose after dose of ineffective over-the-counter remedies.

6. Stomach obstructions

Some cats eat plastic, paper, cat toys, rubber bands, clothes, or whatever they can get their mouths on. If you suspect that your cat has eaten a foreign object, call your vet right away, because this can be a life-threatening situation.

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Sometimes surgery is required to remove foreign objects. Cat in cone collar by Shutterstock

A word of warning: Vomiting can also be caused by poisoning or by very serious diseases. If you suspect your cat has eaten something toxic, call your vet right away for first-aid instructions. If your cat's vomit is bloody or black like coffee grounds, get to the vet immediately. If your cat is vomiting every day, refusing to eat or drink, behaving oddly, or isn't grooming properly, call the vet and get him in for an appointment as soon as possible.
Do you have a cat who frequently vomits? What have you done about it? Please share your experiences in the comments!

5 Tips for Raising a Well-Adjusted Kitten

2013-03-08T17:15:00.000-08:00

Unlike humans, kittens have a very short window of socialization. By the time they're 12 weeks old, most of their understanding of how to interact with the world has been fully formed. While it is possible to teach older kittens and even cats to trust people and situations they haven't encountered before, it takes a lot more patience. Here are five things you should do to ensure that your cute kitten turns into a happy cat.

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Mother cat grooming her kitten by Shutterstock

1. Keep kittens with their mom and littermates for at least 12 weeks

Kittens learn how to interact with other cats through playing with their siblings. Play fighting teaches them limits and boundaries, and they learn about the world by watching their mother's reaction to the environment. Kittens who don't have these experiences are more likely to be shy, anxious, or aggressive.

2. Get them used to being handled

Start trimming your kittens' nails, brushing their teeth, and grooming their fur while they're still young. If you've ever had to groom a cat who's not used to being brushed, you know it's not pretty.

3. Train them to scratch the right things

Tempt your kittens to use a sisal scratch post or cardboard scratch tray by running your fingernails across the surface -- the sound will probably bring them running. If that doesn't work, use an interactive toy like a feather wand to coax them to the scratch post. When they dig into that delightful scratchy goodness, they'll be hooked. Give them lots of praise when they scratch the post or tray.

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Woman holding a kitten by Shutterstock

4. Give them the human diversity experience

Expose your kittens to people of both genders and a variety of ages. Men and women, children and elders have different ways of moving and tones of voice. Kittens who are exposed to as much human variation as possible are more confident when they're on the adoption floor or moving into their new homes.

5. Teach them to love the carrier

Whether they're heading to the vet, moving to a new home with you, or accompanying you on a road trip, cats will have to be placed in carriers. Make travel a more pleasant experience for your kittens -- and their people -- by teaching them that the carrier is a place where awesome things happen. Cat behaviorist Amy Shojai wrote a how-to guide for carrier training, which you can find here.

Do you have any other tips and suggestions for raising well-adjusted kittens? Please share them in the comments!

10 Cats, Proud of Who They Are

2013-01-22T23:01:00.002-08:00

We love about cats because they don't care what we look like. They accept us as we are, and as long as we are good to them, they will love us, and we will love them. Cats are awesome no matter what they look like, and they remind us that we're all awesome no matter what we look like.

Cats are pretty diverse animals. Related to lions and tigers and other big felines, cats come in numerous sizes and colors. Some have long hair, some have short hair, and some have no hair at all. Some have stripes, some have spots, and some wear little tuxedos (complete with little white gloves).

So here are 10 cats who are happy to be who they are, no matter what that is.

'So wear your mustaches with pride'

Photo by mailliw

'And sit up nice and tall'

Photo by windy_sydney

'Stick out your chest'

Photo by hippydream [is busy]

'Look to the future'

Photo by ~Jetta Girl~

'Take a chance and take a walk on the wild side whenever you can'

Photo by netzanette

'Your character is carved from your scars'

Photo by MarkyBon

'Embrace your differences'

Photo by MatthewHopkins

'And be proud of where you come from'

Photo by rogiro

'And love where you're going'

Photo by kraai65

'Don't let anyone bring you down'

Photo by adelle roux

The next time you have to deal with differences, just look at it the way a cat would -- judging each other by what really matters: the content of our hearts.

5 Facts About Your Cat's Paws

2013-01-21T16:53:00.000-08:00

You might think of your cat's paws in the same way you think about your feet: They're for standing and walking and not much else. But your cat's paws are engineered to help her be the best predator she can be -- and, of course, for maximum cuteness, too. Here are some things you should know about cat paws.

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Each of your cat's paws contains about 27 bones, although there are fewer bones in the hind paws than there are in the front. Radiograph of cat paws by Shutterstock

1. Cats walk on tiptoe

Your cat is a digitigrade walker, which means that instead of walking on her heels and the balls of the feet like we do, she walks on the balls of the feet and the fingertips. The small size of her paws and the softness of her pads make it easy for her to move silently through all kinds of terrain.

2. Cats' paw pads are tough and tender

The skin pads on your cat's paws are strong enough to offer protection from punctures when she's walking on rough terrain, but they don't offer much insulation against extreme temperatures. Why? Because nature made a trade-off so she can hunt effectively: Her paw pads are loaded with touch receptors that allow her to evaluate the texture, location, and liveliness of her prey. Another effect of your cat's exquisite sensitivity to touch? She can very quickly detect how hot or cold a surface is.

3. Cats leave "paw mail" with their touch

Cats have glands tucked between their paw pads that secrete oil with a scent only cats can detect. When your cat scratches a surface such as a scratching post, a tree, or your couch, she deposits some of her scent -- almost like a graffiti tag that reads "Fluffy was here!"

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This cute kitten's paw pads match his fur. Gray kitten relaxing on a bed by Shutterstock

4. Cats sweat through their paws

If you've ever taken a nervous cat to the vet and seen little paw marks on the exam table, that's your cat's sweat. Not only do the sweat glands on their paw pads help them keep their body temperature balanced, the glands go into overdrive when a cat is very anxious.

5. Paw pads are as colorful as fur

The pigment that colors your cat's fur also colors her skin, so when you look at your cat's paw pads, you'll see that they're often the same colors as your cat. Black cats have black pads, gray cats have grayish pads, orange cats have orange pads, and when it comes to multicolored cats, anything goes.

What color are your cat's paw pads? Do you know of any other cool facts about cats' paws? Let us know in a comment.

15 Unique Cat-Theme Halloween Decoration for Cat Lovers

2012-10-12T22:19:00.001-07:00

Hey there cat lovers,

Halloween is coming again this year. Have you think of purrfect decoration for your home based on cat theme? Cat can be good decoration for Halloween. Stop thinking about putting creepy skeleton or scary mummy on your living room, how about a black cat for a change. Show your cat lover spirit this year time around...

Okay, so here I gathered (hand-pick) 15 cat-theme decoration for you...

1. Wilton Halloween Cat, Pumpkin, Candy Cookie Mold

These are clear plastic mold for covering cookies with melted candy utilizing Halloween themed shapes. The mold has 2 designs including a spooky cat and smiling jack lantern. These special cookies will be the hit of your Halloween festivities and parties.

2. Cat Head Halloween Candle

Black cat head for Halloween is a must. Try this cat head Halloween candle that can burn up to 60 hours for your Halloween decoration.

3. Pumpkin Cat Cupcake Pick

Another cat theme Halloween decoration for your kitchen. Show to your guest your cat loving side with this cute cupcake picks.

4. Halloween Cat Window Decoration

Put this lighter LED Black Cat window decoration to your window to set the cat theme Halloween mood.

5. Cats and Bats Translucent Window Decorations "Double Window Design"

Another cat theme Halloween window decoration for your Halloween festival. You can join the cats and start counting those creepy bats!!.

6. Black Cat Window Decoration

Angry cat decoration?, here's one for you. Or..put a couple of these on your window.

7. Cat Kitten Wall Decal Sticker Mural - Cat Kitten Silhouette Decoration

In my opinion, this is the most beautiful cat image on my wall. Now you can have it on yours. You can even leave it after Halloween as normal wallpaper decoration.

8. Black Cats 2013 Square 12X12 Wall Calendar (Multilingual Edition)

Well, this got nothing to do with Halloween this year. Perhaps next year?. I just like the black cat picture. Looks..very exquisite. It is 2013 calender featuring black cat as front page cover. I need to have this as mine.

9. Halloween Solar Garden Statue _Black Cat

Beam....I really want to say that. Haha. This is...Halloween Solar Garden Statues!!. They are a spooky accent for your porch or yard. Just put them in any sunny spot .They are powered by the sun so they dont need an electrical outlet. Each statue has it;s own solar panel to collect sunlight. So, more beam to come during the night.

10. Halloween Night Light - Cats on the Fence - LED NIGHT LIGHT

More black cats. Actually three of them!!. On your fence!. I mean.. on your electric socket. Haha.

11. 8 Foot Animated Halloween Inflatable Pumpkins & Cat

This is an animated, inflatable pumpkins and black cat. The top pumpkin actually rotates! The manufacture claimed that they are self Inflate. I seriously don’t know how that’s possible. The prop can easily deflates back down for Easy Storage. This is a must item for your Halloween decoration.

12. Airblown Animated Black Cat

The king of black cat. The cat will light up while the head moves back and forth. It is quite easy to set up and inflates in seconds.

13. Halloween Tablecloth with Owls and Cats

Cute..very cute. That's all I can say. It is a Halloween tablecloth with cats and owls images. This will be a good addition for your cat theme Halloween decoration.

14. Jim Shore Heartwood Creek from Enesco Pilgrim Cats Figurine 6.75 IN

These two cats are so cute for Halloween decoration. Well, maybe....too cute. They are hand crafted and hand painted.

15. Jim Shore Halloween Cat With Pumpkin - Scaredy Cat

Another black cat for Halloween. This statue was well made by Jim Shore. His Halloween cat collection statue is a must have for your cat theme Halloween decoration.

There...a 15 must have item for your cat theme Halloween decoration.

The witches fly
Across the sky,

The owls go, "Who? Who? Who?"

The black cats yowl

And green ghosts howl,

"Scary Halloween to you!"

- Nina Willis Walter

5 Weird Cat Breed Folktales

2012-10-09T19:50:00.000-07:00

The world is replete with stories about the history of the domestic cat. From its initial domestication -- most sources say the cat domesticated itself as people settled down into agricultural societies -- to the worship of cats in ancient Egypt and the demonization of cats in Dark Ages Europe, cats are indeed creatures of legend. But purebred cats have plenty of origin myths and folktales of their own.

Here are five of my favorites;

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Birman cat by Shutterstock

1. The Birman's coat was a monk's dying gift

Legend has it that the first Birman was the companion of a monk named Mun-Ha. One night when he entered a transcendental state so deep that he felt no pain, Siamese invaders murdered him. His cat, Sinh, placed his paws on Mun-Ha's robes to comfort him as he lay dying; as a gift for his devotion, the cat's fur became gold like the golden statue of the goddess before which Mun-Ha meditated, and his eyes became bright blue like those of the statue. Sinh's legs, tail, ears and face became a velvety rich brown, and his paws, which he'd laid on Mun-Ha's body, became pure white.

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Manx cat by Shutterstock

2. Manx cats lost their tails to save their lives

My favorite Manx origin myth is a typically Celtic tale: mother cats used to bite off their kittens' tails in order to keep them from being stolen by Irish or Viking invaders, who would steal the kittens and use their tails as good luck charms.

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Maine Coon cats by Shutterstock

3. The Maine Coon is a cross between a cat and a raccoon

First of all, this is biologically impossible. Even if the two species ever developed an amorous inclination towards one another, no kittens would arise from such a mating. The Maine Coon is one of the oldest breeds native to North America, and if you compare a Maine Coon and a Norwegian Forest Cat, you'll see they look very similar. I wouldn't be surprised if the two breeds shared at least one common ancestor.

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Siamese cat by Shutterstock

4. The Siamese's kinked tail and crossed eyes were the price of devotion

Long ago in days of yore, all the men of Siam left their homes to defend their kingdom. Two Siamese cats, Tien and Chula, stayed behind to guard the Buddha's golden goblet. Tien got restless (not before getting Chula pregnant, though) and set off to find another monk to guard the temple. Chula, meanwhile, was so diligent in her guard duties that she never looked away from the goblet. She even wrapped her tail around it in case someone stole it while she slept. Her kittens were born with the crossed eyes and kinked tail Chula had developed while waiting for her mate to return. Of course, crossed eyes and a tail kink are not desirable traits in today's Siamese breed standard.

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Ragdoll cat by Shutterstock

5. Ragdoll cats are the result of a car accident ... and government experiments

It supposedly all started in the early 1960s when a white cat named Josephine was in a terrible accident that left her with severe injuries including a broken pelvis. After Josephine recovered, she had a litter of kittens, three of whom were taken in by Ann Baker. Baker was apparently quite a storyteller (and a bit of a publicity hound, and probably a bit loopy, too) because she told people Josephine only produced floppy kittens after the accident. Not only that, Baker said, but Ragdolls were insensitive to pain. Oh, and get your tin foil hats on for this one: Baker also announced that a secret government lab ran experiments on Josephine, apparently cross-breeding her with a skunk (!) to develop the ragdoll's mellow temperament.

What are the best myths and folk tales you've heard about your favorite breed? Please share them in the comments below.

www.catster.com

11 Ways to Cat-Proof Your Home

2012-10-05T01:12:00.000-07:00

While cats are seemingly mellow creatures, they can get into all types of mischief. It's up to conscientious cat parents to ensure the home is safe. Here are 11 areas you should cat-proof.

1. Food

Never assume your cat won't eat something. Cats have been known to get into all kinds of surprising foods, including Cheez-Its (guilty in my house), marshmallows, and cookies. Just keep food off the counters when you're not around and stash it somewhere your cat can't access. Otherwise, you may have some major GI issues on your hands.

2. Blinds and cords

What isn't a toy to a cat? Cords on blinds seem to be made to play with. Unfortunately, cats can ingest the cord, get tangled up in it, or even get strangled. And while cats love to dive through mini-blinds, they can easily get stuck, panic, and hurt themselves. Keep the cords out of reach by tying them up or tucking them behind the top of the blinds. If you find your cat has a penchant for mini-blinds, you may want to rethink your window treatments.

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For safety's sake, you may want to rethink your window treatments. Naughty kitten by Shutterstock

3. Plants

Plants have been banished from many cat households. It's hard to keep cats from gnawing on leaves, and many common household plants are toxic to cats. The Cat Fanciers Association Web site lists more than 200 plants that are harmful to cats; here's our list of 10 cat-safe plants.

But even if the plant's not toxic, your cat may still leave ragged chew marks on the leaves. If you can find a place to put a plant that's out of your cat's reach, like a hanging basket, or if you can train your cat to stay away from the plants, great! You also might be able to divert your cat's attraction to houseplants by offering a pot of cat grass he can nibble on. Otherwise, you may have to give up the greenery.

4. Large appliances

Cats seek out warm spots, and big appliances usually fit that bill. Especially dryers. Always check the inside of your washer or dryer before you turn it on. You just never know who might be taking a nap in there. Also, some cats don't recognize a hot stove until they are on top of it and have singed their paws. If your cat is a little slow on the uptake, you can place foil or double-sided tape around the stove top to keep kitty boo off the hot surface.

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Always, always check the washer before turning it on. Red kitten in washing machine by Shutterstock

5. Holiday decorations

New items are always alluring to a cat. If you're decorating your house for the holidays, think about what might be dangerous for your resident kitty. If your cat is a chewer, reconsider dangling things like tinsel or garlands. One year for Christmas I had fake garlands all over the house -– until I came home one day to find a pile of cat barf with pieces of the garlands in it. Down came the decorations.

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Those dangling decorations are really appealing to your cat. Kitten in Christmas tree by Shutterstock.

6. Cleaning products and medicine

Again, don't make assumptions about what your cat will or won't get into. Keep cleaning products and medicines stashed away. Also, once you are done cleaning, make sure to rinse drains well. Sometimes cats like to lick freshly cleaned sinks and tubs. Here's our guide to cleaning your home the cat-friendly way.

7. Trash

If you have a trash-tipper kitty, you're going to need to get a can with a secure lid, or you should put the can in a closet. Not only is it a pain to clean up coffee grounds and banana peels, but there could be some dangerous stuff in there -- sharp-edged cans, grocery bags that could get around your cat's neck, and any number of other hazards.

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Keep a lid on the trash can when you have inquisitive kitties around. La Perm kittens in trash by Shutterstock.

8. Electrical cords

Why do cats like to chew on cords? Beats me, but they do. And that can be extremely dangerous. To prevent your cat from electrical shock or worse, secure your dangling electrical cords with duct, electrical, or even packing tape. You can tape cords to the floor or the side of the appliance, for example.

9. Couch and chair covers

There's really no way to keep your cat off the furniture. If you have a way, please leave a comment below and share! In the meantime, your upholstered furniture is going to take a beating. You can do what I've done and get leather furniture (or some synthetic form of leather) or you can use throw blankets, which are super cozy. You might look into furniture covers as well. Like blankets, these can be thrown into the washer.

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One solution to excess cat fur: Get a leather couch. (But keep your cat's claws trimmed.)

10. Scratchers

If you don't have a scratching post or a scratcher, go out and get one. Now. You don't have to live with scratched up furniture and walls. Once you have an "approved" place for the cat to scratch, take some time to make the other surfaces undesirable –- use double-sided tape on the surface your cat likes to scratch or secure tin foil around furniture edges.

11. Shelves

Cats are notorious for climbing everywhere and anywhere they want. And they aren't always so smart about it. Remove fragile objects, and make sure the shelves are securely fasted to the wall. Also, some shelves can flip if there is a heavy cat on one end, so secure your shelving to the wall or the brackets.

Share this image. Photo by Lauren Littleton.

Also, try cat trees. Your cat climbs because he wants to get up high on something. Give him options, and he might just forgo the bookshelf.

Every cat is drawn to different types of havoc. Some cats chew plants, others don't. It's best to be aware of all potential hazards and take measures to keep your home as cat-safe as possible!

Do you have a suggestion not listed here? Please share in the comments below!

www.catster.com

5 Cool Facts You Should Know About Your Cat's Tail

2012-10-03T00:41:00.000-07:00

Nothing is quite as wonderful as walking into your home at the end of a long day and being greeted by your cats, cooing their happiness, their tails held high as if to say, "Welcome back! We missed you so much!" But your cat's tail does much more than help you understand how she's feeling. Read on for some cool facts about the tail and what it does.

First, let's start with a quick anatomy lesson. The cat's tail has 19 to 23 vertebrae, about 10 percent of the total number of bones in her body. An extensive group of muscles, ligaments, and tendons hold the tail together and provide its amazing mobility. The average tail length for a male cat is 11 inches, and for a female it's 9.9 inches.

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This kitten is giving the "happy tail" sign. Calico kitten by Shutterstock

1. The tail is a balancing tool

The tail acts as a counterweight when the cat walks along narrow surfaces like fence tops or chair backs. It also helps a running cat to stay standing as he makes sharp turns in pursuit of prey ... or his favorite toy.

2. It's a communication aid, too

Cats communicate largely through body language, and the tail is one of the most important parts of your cat's communication toolbox. By understanding "tail talk," you can understand how your cat is feeling with just a glance.

A happy cat, for instance, walks with her tail held high, and a super-happy cat will add a quiver at the tail tip to demonstrate her joy. A mildly annoyed cat will twitch the end of her tail, but if she's lashing her tail back and forth, you'd better step away, because the claws are about to come out. A cat concentrating on prey will have her tail held low to the ground, although there might be a very slight twitching at the end as she tries to control her excitement.

3. Tail injuries can cause permanent damage

Even though the spinal cord doesn't extend all the way into the tail, an injury can still cause serious nerve damage. When the spinal cord ends, the nerves that help to control and provide sensation to the tail, hind legs, bladder, large intestine, and anus have to extend outward without the protection of the spine's bones. Yanking on your cat's tail can over-stretch or even tear these nerves and cause temporary (or permanent) inability to walk, inability to hold the tail upright, incontinence, or chronic pain.

Share this image
Manx cat by Shutterstock

4. Cats can live without tails

A cat whose tail is amputated because of injury learns to compensate for the loss pretty easily. Manx cats are born without tails, and I've never heard any reports of excessive clumsiness in these breeds.

5. Not all tailless cats have the same tailless gene

The gene that produces the unique tailless look of the Manx is dominant, which means it automatically expresses itself even with only one copy of the gene. Being homozygous for (having two copies of) the tailless gene is semilethal, and kittens with two tailless genes are usually spontaneously aborted, so tailless Manx cats are bred from one tailless parent and one tailed parent.

But even having only one copy of the gene can cause a condition called Manx syndrome, which includes spina bifida, fused vertebrae, and bowel or bladder problems. The gene that causes the kinky, curly tail of the Japanese Bobtail, on the other hand, is recessive -- a cat needs to have two copies of that gene for the trait to express itself -- and doesn't have the same potential for health problems as the Manx gene.

www.catster.com

How to Take Care of a Pregnant Cat: 5 steps - wikiHow

2012-09-10T02:46:00.001-07:00

How to Take Care of a Pregnant Cat: 5 steps - wikiHow

Cute Kitten

How to take care of your pregnant cat

2012-09-09T02:19:00.003-07:00

How to Take Care of Your Pregnant Cat

Click Here!

Help!!, my cat ( I mean your cat) is pregnant and I don't know what to do!!.

"How to take care of your pregnant cat" tells you what will happen the coming weeks and months. This is the complete guide for pregnant cat owner need to no,

You'll read;

+ How to tell if she's pregnant.

+ Everything about your cat's heat cycle.

+ What can go wrong during your cat's pregnancy, and how you'll safely resolve it.

+ How and why your cat's behavior changes during pregnancy.

+ The best food to feed your pregnant cat for her best health.

+ What colors the kitten will be.

+ How to make the most comfortable, safe nest for your pregnant cat.

+ How to prepare your cat (and you!) for the kitten's delivery and birth.

"How to take care of your pregnant cat" tells you the secret that veterinarians and cat breeders use, to keep your pregnant cat safe and healthy, and raise happy and cute kittens.

"How to Take Care of Your Pregnant Cat" to learn more

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4 Cat Toys You Can Make from a Toilet Paper Roll

2012-07-02T16:57:00.004-07:00

As a former cat-toy shopaholic, I have purchased almost every toy that is known to man and woman for my cat. Furball has had the crinkly balls, the cork balls, the pom poms, the pom pom on a spring, the motorized mouse, the rattling mice, the catnip stuffed in a plethora of shapes, the string toys, and the wands -- don't get me started on the wands.

Despite spending hours of my life trying to choose toys that my cat would play with for longer than 30 seconds, there were only three principals that I could count on.

The more expensive the toy, the less likely my cat was to play with it.
If the toy came in a package, my cat would like the package better than the toy.
You can please some cats most of the time, you can please all of the cats NEVER, and if you're really lucky, you can please YOUR cat once in a blue moon.

This cat is bored. Playing Cat by Shutterstock.com.

What enabled me to finally kick my cat toy shopping habit was making my own toys from stuff around the house. One of my favorite things to up-cycle is the humble toilet paper roll. Here are four simple toys you can make in seconds from a toilet paper roll.

What You'll Need

Four clean, empty toilet paper rolls
One pair of scissors

Toy No. 1: Plain Vanilla

Give your cat a toilet paper roll.
What? Were you expecting something more complicated?
Remember, cats are captivated by the simplest things. Your cat might LOVE wrestling with a toilet paper roll, and your wallet and the environment will love you for turning trash into treasure.

This kitten is happy. Kitten on floor by Shutterstock.com.

Toy No. 2: Ring Toss

You can make fun rings for your cat to catch. Begin by pressing the toilet paper roll flat. Then cut the flattened roll into rings a quarter-inch to a half-inch thick. You should be able to make 10 to 12 rings per roll, depending on the width of each ring.
Pop a flattened ring open and you're ready to play. Toss the ring in the air or whip it across the floor and watch your cat give chase. To spice things up a bit, try cutting the rings thicker or thinner to see which your cat prefers.

Editor's cat. Things went crazy after this shot.

Toy No. 3: The Ball of Fun

Believe it or not, you can transmogrify a tube shape into a ball. First, you'll need to cut rings about a quarter-inch thick (as described in the Ring Toss toy above). Place one ring flat on the table. Then stand another ring inside it. Pull the ring on the table up around the standing ring until it reaches the middle of the ring. It will look like the standing ring is wearing a belt. Continue wrapping rings around the first two rings at different angles until you form a ball.
The ball will come apart with play, but it's fast and simple to put it back together. And when it does fall apart, you can start a new game with the rings.

Editor's cat again. The game is afoot.

Toy No. 4: The Broom

Cut a straight line two inches long at the end of a toilet paper roll. Continue cutting parallel lines about a third of an inch apart all the way around the roll. Next, press the toilet paper roll until it is completely flat. Fold it in half lengthwise, press firmly, and then fold and press again. When you're done, spread out the "bristles" at the end of the roll.
When you sweep your toilet paper broom along the floor, cats can't resist the rustling sound it makes. Simply toss the broom in the air for your cat to catch and watch the fun begin.
Do you have any ideas for cheap toys like these? Let us know in the comments!

credit to Lifestyle | Lifestyle

Big Cat's Love

2012-07-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

Big Cats Need Love, Too

Snuggle up with someone you love today. Happy Sunday, everyone!

Image from here.

Scoot Over and Make Some Room!

2012-03-29T06:16:00.001-07:00

Source: 9gag.com via YourDailyCute on Pinterest

Quick Click Comission (Review + Bonus)

2012-02-16T06:05:00.000-08:00

Dear cat lovers,

You might be wondering why this is here. Not single thing talking about cat. I bought this stuff last week and been using it ever since. Maybe I not a guru, but at least the system help be a bit in paying my credit card bill. So I want to share it a bit with you. The system encompassed of two software which is;

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Seven Dreamy Travel Destinations for Cat Lovers

2012-02-08T05:06:00.000-08:00

Has your winter malaise set in, triggering a serious case of wanderlust? Whether you’re looking for a local escape or planning your dream cat vacation, here’s a list of seven lucky travel destinations where kitties are always on the itinerary!

Key West, Florida

The beautiful island is a cat mecca of sorts, known for its feline-friendly atmosphere and attractions. Stray cats cared for by the island’s inhabitants are known to pop up at restaurants and hotels, and Key West also hosts the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, which is home to sixty polydactyl cats. Catman Dominique’s Flying House Cat Show is also a favorite nightly attraction, where trained rescue cats delight onlookers by jumping across stools, walking on a tightrope, and leaping through fiery hoops.

Tokyo, Japan

Have a hankering for some cool kitty culture? Tokyo is home to at least 39 cat cafes, where patrons pay a fixed rate to hang out in the company of cute cats, while enjoying a yummy snack. Other popular cat-themed tourist attractions include Sanrio Puroland and Hello Kitty’s Kawaii Paradise, indoor theme parks and shopping areas where you can meet Hello Kitty and all of her friends. While in Japan, you’re also likely to find no shortage of unique cat souvenirs to bring home, particularly in the form of the ubiquitous maneki neko (beckoning cat) sculptures, which are designed to bring good luck to their owners.

Torre Argentina Roman Cat Sanctuary, Rome, Italy

Did you know that just minutes from the great Colosseum, there’s a no-kill cat shelter located among the ruins? Torre Argentina is home to 250 homeless kitties who are cared for by volunteers from other countries. The sanctuary is open every day from noon to 6 p.m., and visitors are welcome to meet the cats, take pictures, browse the gift shop, or adopt one of the cats from a distance to help support the colony.

The Cat Boat (De Poezenboot), Amsterdam, The Netherlands

In 1966 Henriette van Weelde found a family of cats living outside her house and decided to take them in. As other strays followed, van Weelde quickly became the town cat lady, with people dropping off cats they could no longer care for. She soon ran out of space, and with more cats coming, decided to purchase a houseboat where she could provide refuge for her rescued kitties. Today, The Cat Boat remains the only floating animal sanctuary in the Netherlands, and a popular tourist attraction thanks to its attractive location in Amsterdam’s picturesque canal belt.

Kattenstoet Parade, Ypres, Belgium

Most of us celebrate cats every day in our own homes, but one European city has turned the practice into a parade and festival, held every third year on the second Sunday of May. The Kattenstoet (Festival of the Cats) parade in Ypres, Belgium, is steeped in tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, but nowadays it celebrates the history and tradition of the cat with floats, music, stiltwalkers, and costumed spectators enjoying the festivities.

The CFA Foundation’s Feline Historical Museum, Alliance, Ohio

The Feline Historical Museum, billed as the largest cat museum in the United States, opened its doors in June in association with the nonprofit Cat Fanciers’ Association Foundation. The one-room museum and library features hundreds of cat books, along with figurines, art, advertising, and more. Rotating exhibits are also a part of the attraction, including “Japanese Welcoming Cats,” which opened in February and and will be on display through the end of October.

Disneyland and California Adventure, Anaheim, California

In 2001 with the help of Best Friends Catnippers and FixNation, Disney began instituting a Trap, Neuter, Return policy to help manage the feral population in their Anaheim theme parks. The cats are caught and fixed before being released back onto the grounds, and kittens are promptly adopted out. Cats that remain in the park receive food and shelter, and in return they work as part of the nightly maintenance crew, keeping the mice of Mickey’s kingdom (except Mickey and Minnie) in check. Since the cats are feral, they avoid human contact and remain mostly hidden during operating hours; however, keen-eyed guests have been known to spot them throughout the park.

About the Author: Stephanie Harwin is the founder of Catsparella.com, an award-winning cat culture blog dedicated to her passion for finding and sharing all of the coolest cat-related content online. Read more about her here.

Photo Credits:

The Cat Boat: Photo by dtsomp via Flickr Creative Commons
Kattenstoet Parade: Photoby Cedricdubois via Flickr Creative Commons
Disney Cat: Photo by woofiegrrl

What I Need To Know About Cat Arthritis? - Bruce Fogle

2012-01-27T04:40:00.000-08:00

All my life I've enjoyed climbing, but now whenever I jump down from the kitchen counter it hurts. Will an aspirin make it better?

Aspirin is an excellent anti-inflammatory but it can be exceptionally dangerous, even lethal to cats. The cause of the pain is the first and most important question to answer.

Cats have such superb bodies that they rarely suffer from the forms of arthritis that afflict humans and dogs. The shoulders are attached to the body only by muscles allowing for lithe dexterity.

Sometimes the ball and socket shoulder or elbow joints become inflamed through damage and need tome to heal. The ball and socket hip joints can become damaged in a similar way.

People first should make sure that a cat is well nourished. A diet of only meat results in a lack of calcium in the bones and an increased risk of damage from something as simple as a jump off the counter. Similarly, a diet of oily fish can result in generalized pain.

If there is a swelling on any bone, a veterinarian should examine it to discover whether there is bone infection from a cat bite of possibly even bone cancer, something that does develop in older cats.

Treatment will vary according to the cause of the problem, but a restriction of exercise is almost always one of the most important aspects of nursing. Aspirin is a marvelous and safe anti-inflammatory in people and dogs.

Both of those species have livers that break down aspirin within eight hours, so they can take the drug several times each day. It takes a cat ten times as long to expel aspirin from his body, which is why aspirin should never be given more frequently than every eighty hours, and at a maximum dose of 100 mg per time.

More than this can cause serious hemorrhaging. So, aspirin definitely not a good medication for your cat.

Try FREE offer of natural joint pain relieve for your pets ------->

15 Celebrities with Cats!

2012-01-24T03:54:00.000-08:00

[Source: 9gag.com]

Last minute Christmas Present Shopping - Hello Kitty Christmas Present!!

2011-12-21T20:53:00.000-08:00

Hello Kitty christmas present

1. Ty Beanie Babies Hello Kitty with Present

2. Hello Kitty Christmas Ornament Set

3. Hello Kitty TY Christmas Beanies Babies Festive Flush Dolls (set of two)

4. Hello Kitty House

5. TY Beanie Baby Hello Kitty Tartan

6. Hello Kitty Flower Bracelet

7. Hello Kitty Backpack

The Cats of All Cats

2011-12-21T20:37:00.000-08:00

by Kim Day

My Cat is the cat of all cats
For she is like a beautiful Painting
She sleeps and awakes in the early morning
To demand her requests for the day.
My Cat is the cat of all cats
She is royal and dignified.
Poets and Writers have long been inspired
She is admired by all who encounter her
My Cat is the cat of all cats
And shall remain so, until the end of her nine lives.

Awwlumination!!!

2011-12-14T16:34:00.000-08:00

An Engineer's Guide To Cat Yodelling - Advanced Cat Yodelling

2011-11-29T16:30:00.001-08:00

Here is the second video on how to make your cat yodel. Kiddyap!!

An Engineer's Guide To Cat Yodelling

2011-11-20T19:02:00.001-08:00

Dear Cat Lovers,

I found about cat yodelling from Animal Planet 'Must Love Cats' program. It is quite fascinating that cats could make sound like that. According to the guy in the video, cat yodeling is a sound cat make when you annoy them for some time. What kind of annoyMent that you should "subjected" your cat to?. I think, your cat is soooo goin to hate you after this. :-). Watch this video, soo cute anyway.

Kittens in Pockets

2011-11-14T15:55:00.000-08:00

Easily the cutest fashion accessory I’ve ever seen — kittens in pockets!

CAT'S EYES

Cat Facts: 7 Stops Along Your Cat's Digestive System

1. The mouth

2. The esophagus

3. The stomach

4. The duodenum and its pals: the liver and pancreas

5. The small intestine

6. The large intestine

7. The rectum and anus

The 5 Stages of Cat Pregnancy

1. Fertilization

2. The early stage

3. The middle stage

4. Pre-labor

5. Labor and delivery

Top 6 Reasons Your Cat Vomits

1. Hairballs

2. Eating too fast

3. New food

4. Eating grass or plants

5. Parasites

6. Stomach obstructions

5 Tips for Raising a Well-Adjusted Kitten

1. Keep kittens with their mom and littermates for at least 12 weeks

2. Get them used to being handled

3. Train them to scratch the right things

4. Give them the human diversity experience

5. Teach them to love the carrier

10 Cats, Proud of Who They Are

5 Facts About Your Cat's Paws

1. Cats walk on tiptoe

2. Cats' paw pads are tough and tender

3. Cats leave "paw mail" with their touch

4. Cats sweat through their paws

5. Paw pads are as colorful as fur

15 Unique Cat-Theme Halloween Decoration for Cat Lovers

The witches fly Across the sky, The owls go, "Who? Who? Who?" The black cats yowl And green ghosts howl, "Scary Halloween to you!" - Nina Willis Walter

5 Weird Cat Breed Folktales

1. The Birman's coat was a monk's dying gift

2. Manx cats lost their tails to save their lives

3. The Maine Coon is a cross between a cat and a raccoon

4. The Siamese's kinked tail and crossed eyes were the price of devotion

5. Ragdoll cats are the result of a car accident ... and government experiments

11 Ways to Cat-Proof Your Home

1. Food

2. Blinds and cords

3. Plants

4. Large appliances

5. Holiday decorations

6. Cleaning products and medicine

7. Trash

8. Electrical cords

9. Couch and chair covers

10. Scratchers

11. Shelves

5 Cool Facts You Should Know About Your Cat's Tail

1. The tail is a balancing tool

2. It's a communication aid, too

3. Tail injuries can cause permanent damage

4. Cats can live without tails

5. Not all tailless cats have the same tailless gene

How to Take Care of a Pregnant Cat: 5 steps - wikiHow

How to take care of your pregnant cat

4 Cat Toys You Can Make from a Toilet Paper Roll

What You'll Need

Toy No. 1: Plain Vanilla

Toy No. 2: Ring Toss

Toy No. 3: The Ball of Fun

Toy No. 4: The Broom

Big Cat's Love

Scoot Over and Make Some Room!

Quick Click Comission (Review + Bonus)

Quick Click Commission Overview:

Quick Click Commission Scam?

The Positive Side:

8 Weeks Money Back Guarantee

Bottom line

Seven Dreamy Travel Destinations for Cat Lovers

What I Need To Know About Cat Arthritis? - Bruce Fogle

15 Celebrities with Cats!

The witches fly
Across the sky,

The owls go, "Who? Who? Who?"

The black cats yowl

And green ghosts howl,

"Scary Halloween to you!"

- Nina Willis Walter