If you’re dealing with a deeply unhappy cat they may be vocalising more than usual.  They may be displaying needy or aggressive behaviour or be nervous and jumpy.  They can also start to urinate for spray.

If you are happy you are feeding your cat well then think about these ways of improving their well being:

Give them high places to rest so they can survey their kingdom in safety.
Plenty of affection when they want it!
Secluded private places to sleep and rest
Play and activity.  There are plenty of toys and gadgets available to keep your cat occupied and it’s a great way of bonding with the cat
Good nutrition
Plenty of exercise and access to the outdoors
Good security in the house.  Make sure other cats can’t get in.

Post from: My Feline Friends

For a long time it was just me and the cat and frankly that’s just how he liked it!  He would tolerate visitors and allow them to fuss him indulgently.  He also enjoyed his ten month stay we had with my parents.  During those ten months he asserted himself as the king of the castle and would knock my mum and dad up at 5.30am to be allowed on the bed and then by 6.30am start to demand his breakfast.  I seemed to be let off the hook during this time and was able to sleep until 7.00am without any catty disturbances.  He also developed his great love of tuna during this period which my mum lavished upon him and was the terror of the cat neighbourhood duffing up other cats indiscriminately.

Then we moved to our new home and I introduced him to a new friend, my shih tzu.  He tolerated him to a point and would allow some interaction but would quickly correct any over familiar advances from the puppy.  The relationship remains the same nearly eighteen months later so my cat has moved on to his latest challenge of taming my partner. 

My partner moved in a few months ago and him and the cat were initially arch enemies.  Over time my cat has taught my partner not to shut doors, that cat shooing will not be tolerated and that he will sleep at the foot of the bed whether my partner likes it or not! 

Post from: My Feline Friends

However the Christmas gift market for pets is a booming one.  There are gift galore that can be had for your cat, dog or guinea pig!  From October onwards my local pet store has had a wide selection of Christmas goodies on offer.  There are treats in the shapes of sugar canes and Father Christmas toys.  There are even Christmas outfits on offer – however I do draw the line there for my cat!  My dog on the other hand…

Giving gifts to my friends pets has in fact replaced getting my friends gifts!  We all decided long ago to save our pennies for Christmas nights out rather than spend it on gifts.  However we were unable to bring ourselves to stop buying gifts for our cats!  It is the time of year we really spoil our pets. 

Post from: My Feline Friends

It is my fourth Christmas with Tikka, my ginger Tom and he also has a soft spot for this time of year!  The Christmas Tree is always an object of extreme curiosity for him and he cannot resist looking upon it as a giant cat toy assembled for his pleasure and indulgence!  What with all those glittery shiny baubles what self-respecting feline could resist giving them a couple of swipes to send them tumbling to the floor.  Once the bauble hits the ground the game really hots up and with tail a swishing Tikka bounds after his prize.  Many a time, I come back from work to find baubles scattered around the living room and a sleepy and happy cat lazing on the couch.

He’s much better behaved than he used to be.  In his younger years Tikka would actually climb the Christmas tree.  I would be alerted by the sound of rustling and creaking just as the tree tottered over with a ginger, whiskered face peeping out from the top!  Ah happy days.  That was the end of my glass baubles and the beginning of my love affair with cheap, plastic tree decorations!

Post from: My Feline Friends

When we moved to a house with a cat flap the transformation was amazing.  After a little tentativeness he soon got into the routine and he slinks in and out at his leisure.  I actually see a lot more of him now than I did when we had no easy access to outdoors and he’s more likely to stay in the close vicinity.  I have no idea why this is but I feel safer in the knowledge that he is within easy reach. 

With cats being the territorial soles that they are a cat flap provides a convenient gateway to the outdoors so that they may peruse their kingdom and feel secure that should a predator cross their path they can easily bolt back into the safety of their home.  It also gives you a rest from constantly opening and shutting doors!

Post from: My Feline Friends

Cesar arrived as cool as a cucumber as ever and spent some time observing.  The owners felt so sorry for the cat they were constantly rescuing it and keeping it separate from the dog.  However Cesar assessed that this was actually feeding the problem.  He started off with the cat being held by one of the couple and the dog being held by the other.  If the cat or the dog went into attack mode they were assertively corrected until they returned to a calm state.  Cesar does this by giving them a nudge to snap their attention away from the object of their distress.

It transpired that the cat was the more dominant character.  Over time the two relaxed with each other and in true American style the couple bought a cat stroller ( a buggy for cats ) and started taking both the cat and dog out for a walk as a pack!

I’m not saying these methods are going to work for everyone but it was amazing to watch.

Post from: My Feline Friends

However MPs Lindsay Hoyle and David Crausby have tabled an Early Day Motion with the intention of changing this.  The aim is to ensure that all local authorities routinely scan domestic cats that are found killed on the roads.  This will then facilitate owners of cat’s that have been microchipped being told about their cat’s injuries or death.

The cat charity Cat’s Protection support this motion as they are strong advocates of cat microchipping.  They microchip approximately 35,000 cats per year and the rescue centre staff have a large role in dealing with cat owners who are upset about their missing kitten or cat.

The charity has been actively promoting the Early Day Motion throughout October and November and it’s a case of watching this space to see whether this will be successfully passed in Parliament.  Thousands of cat owners have written to their MPs to sign the motion.

Post from: My Feline Friends

Its that time of year when organisations such as Cat’s Protection start to send out the message that cat ownership should not be taken lightly and that by taking on board the responsibility of a cat or kitten you are taking on a loving relationship that will span many years – not just the Christmas period. 

If you have taken time to think through the commitment you will be making then deciding to introduce a cat or kitten to your family over the Christmas period can be an ideal time.  Although for some people it may involve lots of hustle and bustle for many it’s a quiet time when the family are all home for a week or two.  This can give you the ideal quiet time to settle in a new feline family member.

Most rescue homes will check out your home and quiz you about your attitude to the responsibility of cat ownership.  If they are satisfied you will make a responsible owner they will be delighted to re-home one of the many unwanted cats with you.  A perfect Christmas gift to a lucky cat!

Post from: My Feline Friends

If your cat is anything like mine the frosty outside will not put them off going for their daily patrol of their garden territory and beyond.  Their coat starts to thicken in the months leading up to winter so they are equipped to deal with the cold spells to a certain extent.  My cat’s coat is quite resplendent at the moment and there is no pesky shedding of hair going on.

However if it’s a particularly cold day and Tikka doesn’t come back home after a few hours I must confess to feeling slightly anxious.  I try to encourage him to come back for a warm up by making sure the cat flap is open or by looking out for him on the window ledge.  If the temperature does drop please try to ensure that you tempt your cat back in.  They are not infallible to the cold and can get hypothermia in extreme conditions. 

Post from: My Feline Friends

There are two urban myths surrounding cats and babies.  The first dates back to something like 1791 when there are records stating that a baby was found dead and it was believed that cat was ‘sucking the babies breath’!  Now given we where in witch hunting territory in 1791 I can understand this type of accusation then, but unbelievably this myth lives on!  The second myth is more recent in its origin and surrounds the mysterious and frightening SIDS otherwise known as cot death.  There have been the odd cases where when a baby was found dead a cat was also found in the crib.  However they could not prove the cat had any involvement and felt it was more likely that the cat had climbed in the crib to keep warm.

The facts are that cats can climb into the crib when looking for a warm settling place not out of any malicious intent.  They are much more likely to build a strong nurturing bond with the baby or to be simply terrified by the crying!  There are cat nets available to safeguard against the cat getting into the cot but no need to re-home your cat.

Post from: My Feline Friends