The Bengal cat is a breed domesticated from cat hybrids, including the Egyptian Mau and the Asian leopard cat. Their coat often has spots, rosettes, arrowhead markings, and marbling with a golden shimmer from their ancestors – leopard cats. The first time this breed was ever mentioned was in 1889 by Harrison Weir. However, Jean Mill of California bred the modern version of the Bengal cat. As of 2019, The International Cat Association has almost 2,000 Bengal breeders registered with them globally since they were accepted into the organization in 1983. [Read more…]
Is your cat constipated?
If your cat doesn’t seem to be leaving anything in the litter box or is straining when pooping, your cat may be constipated. If this only happens occasionally, there is probably nothing to worry about. If it happens more often, you probably need to contact your vet. Constipated poop is small, hard, and dry. [Read more…]
Cat Fostering 101
What is fostering?
Fostering an animal entails working with a shelter or adoption program to provide a temporary home environment for an animal in need or to relieve pressure on an overburdened system. It provides a bridge, between the impersonal and sometimes scary shelter, and a forever home with the right family or individual pet parent. When deciding whether or not fostering is right for you, it’s important to understand why there’s a need, what special needs different types of foster cats might have, and the practical realities you need to be prepared to work with. [Read more…]
April Cat Headlines
“Master of Disguise”: Cat’s Hilarious Effort at Hiding Goes Viral
A New York man’s kitty delighted Twitter with a … paw-thetic attempt at becoming invisible. This inspired other pet parents to share their own priceless photos of furry friends’ efforts to hide.
Jinx the Cat to be Mayor of Hell
Jinx the cat is famous on social media as an unusual-looking rescue, and now is set to be the mayor of Hell, population 72–Hell, Michigan, that is. The wide-eyed, large-pawed feline lives in California with her human, Mia, and presumably did not have to campaign too hard for the job. The township near Ann Arbor offers anyone a chance to be mayor for a day (or even an hour) for $25 an hour. No word on Jinx’s plans to run for higher office.
Where Do Outdoor Cats Go? Not Far…
A study used GPS tracking to follow a population of 100 cats in a small town in Eastern Norway, seeking to discover where indoor-outdoor cats go when they are not at home. Most cats, it turns out, stay fairly close to home: about 50 meters (164 feet) on average, with most not venturing beyond a quarter-mile at their farthest. A very small number were more adventurous and traveled miles from home, but at least in this study, that was the exception, not the rule.
How to Reduce Cat Anxiety
Is Your Cat a Bundle of Nerves?
There is nothing like the contented purring of a relaxed feline companion, but anxiety in cats can be a real and frequent challenge. It can lead to misbehavior (destruction of property, foregoing the litter box for your bed, excessive calling), or it can lead to physiological and psychological discomfort. Anxiety about going to the vet can cause pet parents to avoid seeking care. [Read more…]