Breaking Down Cat Allergies

For those who love keeping cats, cat allergies are all too common. It could be a family member’s never-ending cold symptoms with running noses and eyes, non-stop sneezing and a perpetually ticklish nose or certain rashes that break out on your skin whenever you play with Kitty. Causes of Cat Allergies Approximately 10% of Americans suffer from pet allergies and cat allergies are the most common. However, contrary to popular belief, neither cat fur nor hair is the main allergy triggering culprit. The allergy is generated more by saliva proteins, dander or dried flaky skin and urine. Those prone to allergies usually have immune systems that are oversensitive. Their bodies… Read More Continue Reading

Why Do Cats Knead?

When cats make a motion of rhythmically pushing their paws in and out  against a soft object, they are kneading. All cats don’t knead in a similar fashion. While some don’t push their claws out at all, some even make use of all four limbs. Come home from work and you’ll find your cat not only purring in pleasure but also kneading steadily as you cuddle him on your lap. It is happy since it just killed a small insect in your home and now your home does not have that insect in it. Cats earn their keep. Reasons for kneading Cats start kneading as kittens while being nursed by… Read More Continue Reading

Do Hypoallergenic Cats Exist?

Contrary to popular belief, non-allergenic cats simply don’t exist. All cats shed and this may cause allergies in many people. However, the closest you can get is a hypoallergenic cat, which generally shed less or generates less dander, both of which are major cat allergy triggers. Research has shown that there are some cats that are suitable for people prone to feline allergies and these include the Cornish Rex, Balinese-Javanese, Siberian, Devon Rex and the Sphynx, to name a few. This is because these are generally hairless in appearance or have short hair or don’t shed that heavily. The AAFA or Asthma and Allergy Foundation says that cat allergies are twice as common… Read More Continue Reading

All that You Wanted to Know About Feral Cats

Feral refers to a generally homeless cat that lives outdoors most of the time, without having an official owner. Most feral cats are those that have been abandoned, lost or left to live on their own. It’s because of the rough environment in which they live that most ferals develop a deep rooted fear of people and when approached by humans, hiss out of fright. They either run and hide or may even attack a person with fangs and claws bared to cause grievous injury. However, this perception of their always being vicious, is not always true. Given time, care and affection, they gradually overcome this fear and become as… Read More Continue Reading

How to Train Your Cat

Who said dogs could be trained only? As a pet, your cat could also be trained to be an obedient servant to your commands. It’s true though that dogs and cats have different mentalities and their training techniques too, differ. However, with a little love and patience, you could have a remarkably rained and well behaved cat to show off to friends and outsiders because cats are also extremely intelligent animals and respond well to training. Here’s how to go about it. Punishing simply doesn’t work Cats just don’t learn from discipline. Worse still punishing them leads to enhanced your stress, health, and behavioral problems. It’s basically positive reinforcement and… Read More Continue Reading

Giving Your Cat a Bath

Wild cats may actually enjoy being in the water, but housecats notoriously aren’t keen for being bathed. Housecats have coats that absorb water, rather than deflect moisture. This means that it is harder for housecats to dry off when they become soaked. It is a good thing that cats self-groom, since most housecats avoid water at all costs. So the question is, why would a cat need a bath? Truth be told, many cats don’t need to be washed with water. Because they naturally groom themselves, regular brushing is all they need for them to stay clean and comfortable. With that being said, there are situations where a good bath… Read More Continue Reading

Five Ways to Entertain Your Cat

It has been proven that cats who spend their entire lives indoors live longer than those cats that only live outdoors. However, indoor cats need stimulation to keep them healthy and happy. This involves enriching your cat’s environment. Encourage your cat’s natural hunting and foraging instincts and it will do wonders for their well-being. With a touch of creativity, you can keep your cat interested and stimulated, whether you live in a little apartment or a big house. To keep things interesting, switch out your cat’s toys every couple of weeks. When you reintroduce them, they will be appreciated all over again. Here are a few feline-friendly activities to get… Read More Continue Reading

How to Introduce a New Cat to Your Dog

So you have decided to add a furry friend of a different variety to your home? Very good. Here are some considerations to keep in mind. Some cats are more social that others. For instance, a cat that is 8 years old and has never had to share her territory with other pets, simply may never learn to. On the other hand, a kitten that is 8 weeks old who is separated from her cat family might enjoy having another feline or canine companion. Because cats are territorial, they need to be introduced to other animals in a very slow fashion. This allows your pets time to get used to… Read More Continue Reading

How to Help Abandoned Stray Cats and Kittens

If you are like me, you would love to help every cat or kitten that has been abandoned by their thoughtless owner. Has a feral cat made its way onto your doorstep? Don’t ignore their call to help. This may only make the situation worse. For example, a pregnant cat roaming your yard might just have her kittens underneath your porch. Or, let’s say you have abandoned kittens gracing your yard with their cuteness. Without a mother to care for them, they will starve or become injured. Even though you didn’t cause the problem, it’s not going to go away. Here is what you can do to help out. Provide… Read More Continue Reading

Do the Rich Prefer Dogs Over Cats?

According to a recent study by Spectrum Group, the answer is yes. It was shown that 58 percent of millionaire pet owners have a dog, where only 37 percent have a cat. The study also showed that 25% of these millionaire dog owners spend over $1,000 a year on their dogs. More than half of the millionaires spend more than $500 a year on their dogs. Over half of these millionaire dog owners spend money on teeth cleaning and 34% of them spend money grooming their dogs. Let’s compare this percentage to the rest of the country. According to the Humane Society of America, only 39% of American households own… Read More Continue Reading