Because cat urine has an unmistakable odor, you would think that it would be easy to clean up, but if your cat has found some discreet locations to eliminate then you may not be aware of the problem until he has gone back to that spot repeatedly to urinate. By that time, the urine will ...
Read More »Types of Aggression in Cats
Aggression can be scary – not only for the victim but also for the one displaying the behavior. Since cats prefer to avoid confrontation, engaging in an aggressive encounter usually means they feel backed into a corner. In order to avoid actual physical encounters, cats do lots of posturing and use their bodies to communicate ...
Read More »Scratching Posts: How to Choose the Best One
Listen to the audio version of this article If you don’t want your cat scratching the furniture, you’ll need to provide an object more appealing. When I say appealing, I’m not referring to whether your cat likes the way it looks – I’m referring to whether it gets the job done or not. The only reason ...
Read More »Common Mistakes Made by New Cat Parents
I’m thrilled when people contact me BEFORE they bring home a new cat. It’s the perfect opportunity for me to help them figure out which cat is right for them, how to cat-proof the home, and set up the environment to be cat friendly. I can also help prepare them for how to do any ...
Read More »Why Does Your Cat Present His Backside to You?
Has your cat ever jumped up into your lap, rubbed his face against you, purred, then turned around so his hindquarters were facing you? As if that’s not enough, he will raise his tail and it’s almost as if he’s actually presenting his backside to you. Do you feel insulted or disgusted? You shouldn’t. What ...
Read More »Gradually Introduce Your New Kitten to New Experiences
If you’ve brought a new kitten into your home recently, you’re probably well aware of all the kitten-proofing that needed to be done in order to keep kitty AND your home safe. You’re also spending lots of time getting to know this new family member, playing with her and enjoying the very funny antics that ...
Read More »Read This Before You Replace That Worn Out Scratching Post
When a cat likes the scratching post and uses it exclusively, chances are, it will eventually start looking a bit ragged. Better the post looks ragged than the furniture, right? Even at that, since the scratching post is probably not one of the more attractive pieces of cat equipment you have in your house ...
Read More »Pooping Outside the Litter Box
Your cat may diligently urinate in the box but what do you do if she decides she’d rather leave solid deposits somewhere else? It can be very confusing for a cat parent when the cat faithfully uses the box for one function but refuses to use it for the other. Rule Out Medical Issues Even ...
Read More »The Catnip Response
Catnip is a perennial herb and a member of the mint family. It is also known as catmint, catwort, and field balm, as well as other names. The volatile oil that causes the “catnip reaction” is nepetalactone. Catnip was native to Europe but was imported to the United States and other areas and is now ...
Read More »Interactive Play Therapy for Cats
Listen to the audio version of this article Interactive play is a very powerful tool you can use to help your cat in a variety of situations. It’s great for trust-building, helping two cats become friends, exercise, stress relief, and the list goes on. Even though your cat may be one who is so revved ...
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