Does your all white cat have blue eyes? Do they sometimes not come when called? Does it seem like they are not always listening? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might be dealing with something a little bigger than simply being ignored…deafness. This topic is actually news to me too. I didn’t know hereditary deafness was a major concern in white cats with blue eyes until one of my Facebook followers mentioned something to me. Per the Cornell Feline Heath Center, “researchers found that only 17 to 22 percent of white cats with non-blue eyes are born deaf. The percentage rises to 40 percent if the cat has one blue eye, while upwards of 65 to 85 percent of all-white cats with both eyes blue are deaf.” Here are a few more things to note if your furry feline is white and has one or both eyes blue.
Can Kitty Litter Be Pretty?
Yes, but it can also be life-saving too. How? With this new litter called PrettyLitter.* The litter changes color if the urine is abnormal which can be indicative of a potential health problem in your cat such as a UTI (or Urinary Tract Infection), liver or kidney problems, and blood in the urine. There is even a color-coded key on the bag so you are able to match the color with the possible medical issue. If the litter changes color – head to your vet.
Besides catching a health issue early, this litter also controls odor and is easy to maintain, allowing the urine to evaporate leaving you to scoop only the urine or poop, nothing more. And one bag of litter lasts a month so you won’t need to worry about switching it out weekly. It’s also free of toxins and ships free – BONUS! Check out a quick video to learn more.
*In no way am I selling the aforementioned product nor am I receiving any commissions or rewards from the marketer. I am simply recommending this product because it looks interesting and could be life-saving for your feline friend.
Hairballs 101
Picture this: you wake up in the middle of the night due to that tall glass of water you drank right before bed. You’re stumbling, barefoot or slipperless, towards the bathroom and BAM your foot steps into something soft, wet, and slimy. Ahhhhhh!!! As a cat owner we can all say that we have experienced this at least once. But, as your hopping around and saying things you might not mean in the morning, keep in mind that hairballs are a sign of a healthy grooming routine by your kitty…because we all know that cats do not like baths.
Cats have these fancy little hook-like features on their tongue (think sandpaper mixed with Velcro) that collect loose hair upon licking which in turn, once swallowed, forms into a ball that eventually comes back up. Note that hairballs are more common in the spring as your cat begins to shed their winter coat and the bigger the cat, the bigger the hairball.
At the end of the day, hairballs are purrfectly natural and are imperative to a healthy feline. Wanna know more? Read this article to learn 7 facts about hairballs.
Catios, The Next Best Cat Idea
Do you have an indoor cat who longs to be outside? A cat with an adventure spirit that tends to get bored easily? Or are you just looking for an alternative to being outdoors that provides fresh air, bird watching, and relaxing in the sun? Catios are a great solution to the aforementioned. You can either build one yourself or have a company come out and build an enclosure for you. Some are small, extensions off of a window or side of the house while others are big enough to hold human and feline. Think a completely enclosed patio or porch but with lots of climbing opportunities and floor to ceiling views. There are many things to consider when choosing a location for your catio, or cat patio: cat access, size, sun/shade percentage, stimulating views, temperatures, etc. And let’s not forget the enrichment part of a catio – cat toys, cat-safe plants, water fountain, litter box, windows, rugs, etc. There are so many aspects to a catio but I can tell you one thing for sure – your furry friend will love you if you design a catio space for them. The world is your oyster.
600 Cats and Counting
Wait, what? 600 cats in one place, at one time? Yes, please! You too?
Well, at least it sounds pretty cool. Lanai Cat Sanctuary in Lanai City, Hawaii is a nonprofit organization where more than 600 spayed and neutered kitties call home. Sometimes called “purr-adise” or “fur seasons”, you can visit this island of cats and even adopt if you so choose. Some folks even travel to Lanai City just to visit the “Hawaiian Lions.” But don’t worry, these furry felines are well taken care of with access to over 25,000 square feet of outdoor space and a plenty of different structures to climb on and hide within. Interested in visiting and getting your kitty-fix for the year? Check out their website for more information.