About.com Cats

3-Cat Law Targets Cat Fosterer

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:28:00 +0000

Mary Ellen Richards of Dudley, Mass. works with the organization Willy's Kitty Angels Rescue, which traps feral and stray cats to control the population. Richards takes cats to free clinics to have them spayed or neutered and helps them find foster homes in other towns, according to the MSNBC article.

Complaints by her neighbors led to a new town law which limits the legal number of cats to three, unless the owner obtains a $50 kennel license. The fine for violations is $100/day.

So far, as of Wednesday, Ms. Richards has been fined $1800. She has put her house up for sale and plans to move to "a more cat-friendly community." Ironically, the new law may prompt irresponsible cat owners to dump their excess cats on the streets of Dudley, posing a quandry for Willy's Kitty Angels and its fosterers.

Do you foster cats? Share your experiences with other readers.

3-Cat Law Targets Cat Fosterer originally appeared on About.com Cats on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 15:28:00.

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Why Cats Are Obligate Carnivores

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:30:13 +0000

People are sometimes confused by the distinction between carnivores and obligate carnivores. There is a fine, but extremely important distinction between the two terms as related to cats. Let's start with the definition of "carnivore." The simplest definition is: "an animal which eats flesh."

So far, so good. However, consider that fact that most humans eat flesh, in the form of hamburgers, chicken, and seafood, for example. Is that all we eat? Hardly. Most of us also eat vegetables, fruits, and grains, which makes us omnivorous. However, many humans are vegetarian, or even vegan - those folks don't consume anything of animal origin. And face it - even a plant - the innocent looking Venus Flytrap - is carnivorous.

Take a look at your cat's teeth. They were made to kill, then rip and tear the flesh of their prey - a sure clue to their carnivorous needs. Then learn more about why cats are obligate carnivores.
_{Photo Credit: © iStockPhoto/Michael Bodmann}

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Why Cats Are Obligate Carnivores originally appeared on About.com Cats on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 16:30:13.

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H1N1 (Swine) Flu Confirmed in Iowa Cat

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:23:01 +0000

Breaking News From Janet Crosby, D.V.M, About.com Guide to Veterinary Medicine:

The question has been circulating for months, can dogs and cats catch the H1N1 flu? While no one could say for sure, infectious disease experts felt that dogs and cats were not as susceptible as humans, pigs, and then later turkeys and ferrets.

Today, the answer is different

It has been confirmed that a cat has caught the H1N1 virus from humans. The Iowa Department of Public Health as reported that a cat became ill with H1N1 virus after 3 members of the family became ill with influenza-like symptoms.

Earlier this year, it was widely believed that household pets, such as cats, dogs, and ferrets, were safe from the H1N1 flu virus, but although the CDC has not yet updated as to these events, the AVMA has. The AVMA adds this common sense advice:

Pets that live indoors, especially cats, tend to have close contact with their owners - after all, that's why we have pets - and that increases their exposure to diseases. The best advice is to always follow common sense guidelines when dealing with animals (for example, washing your hands). In addition, it's more important than ever that pet owners keep a good eye on their pet's health and consult a veterinarian if their pet is showing any signs of illness. Keeping your pets healthy reduces their risk of becoming ill.

This is sound advice. I've always stressed the importance of having a thorough knowledge of your cat's normal health condition; in fact, it's my first rule in Knowing When to Call the Vet.

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Confirmed in Iowa Cat originally appeared on About.com Cats on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 16:23:01.

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TruthaboutPetFood.com Initiates First Alert Program

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:27:30 +0000

Susan Thixton, the founder of TruthaboutPetFood.com is an avid activist for healthful nutrion for pets, and I have been following her for a couple of years now. I have been so impressed with the vast amount of solid, no-holds-barred information she provides, that I subscribed to Petsumer Report, and refer to it regularly when considering cat foods for review. Among the many things I can find in its pet food reviews are the presence of "red flag ingredients"; if any ingredients are imported; and if the protein content is of human grade quality. Thixton explains, "Without having access to all the information the pet food label can't or won't tell you, you might as well stand back and throw a dart down the pet food aisle to choose your pet's food." In my opinion, the $17.95 annual subscription fee is one of the best investments I've ever made for my cats' health.

One of the latest boons Thixton is providing to her readers is the Pet Food Recall First Alert program. Pet food manufacturers who voluntarily join theoretically will promptly alert pet owners if a problem with a pet food is discovered. I say "theoretically," because as Susan Thixton says, "Participation in this program does not guarantee quality or safety of listed company's products. It DOES however, provide pet owners with a beginning. A beginning to improved communication between industry and consumers." A hearty "amen" to that!

TruthaboutPetFood.com Initiates First Alert Program originally appeared on About.com Cats on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 14:27:30.

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Wordless Wednesday: High Hopes

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:31:24 +0000

We've redone our upstairs loft into a virtual kitty wonderland, complete with the cats' own TV set. (Chairs *might* be added later.) The DVD Billy is immersed in is "Kitty Goes Hunting & Fishing" by Pet Qwerks, and I'll be reviewing it soon.
_{Photo Credit: © L. Syufy}

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Wordless Wednesday: High Hopes originally appeared on About.com Cats on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 04:31:24.

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Cat Breed of the Week: Burmese

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:30:58 +0000

Burmese are extremely people-oriented. If you enjoy having a furry feline companion on your lap, on your computer keyboard, or under the covers with you at night, the Burmese will be a perfect cat for you. Burmese are said to be like potato chips - you can't have just one!

The picture shown here is of Burmese cat Nokosi, aka "Kosi."
_{Photo Credit: © Julie Davis}

Cat Breed of the Week: Burmese originally appeared on About.com Cats on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 03:30:58.

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U.K. Cat Lovers: Keep Cats Safe on Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:37:06 +0000

On November 5, 1606, Guy Fawkes and other conspirators tried to blow up Parliament, when King James I was present. The conspiracy failed dramatically, and Guy Fawkes was arrested, and executed, following his confession. While this conspiracy was politically and secularely motivated, Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night has been likened to the Samhain celebrations at the end of Harvest, according to Ferne Arfin, About.com Guide to United Kingdom Travel.

Simon Hade, co-owner of Kitten to Cat, London's only feline veterinary clinic, likens Bonfire Night to the 4th of July in the U.S., in terms of its stressful effect on cats. Indeed, Jinxy, a beautiful little longhair cat, apparently was frightened by the fireworks and bonfires, and escaped from home. Several weeks later, she ended up with the kind folks at Kitten to Cat. Zeta Frasca, Kew resident and owner of Kitten to Cat believes Jinxy became disorientated and ran away from home because of fireworks. "Cats are very susceptible to stress and changes in environment so we do see more missing cats in November as a result of bonfire night," says Ms Frasca. "Thankfully many find their way home or are micro-chipped and so able to be reunited with their families when they are brought into the local vets." Ms Fraca went on to say, "Jinxy was in such a poor state of health and to this day is traumatised by any loud noises and unexpected movement. This makes her unpredictable and difficult to handle so it would be difficult to re-home her through normal channels" explains Ms Frasca.

Unfortunately, Jinxy was not microchipped, and her family could not be found. Consequently Jinxy now lives with Ms Frasca's mother in Kensington. Simon and Zeta feel so strongly about microchipping that Kitten to Cat will be offering a free microchip clinic in November for both new and registered clients.

U.K. Cat Lovers: Keep Cats Safe on Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night originally appeared on About.com Cats on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 00:37:06.

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Kijiji Gives the Scoop on Buying Cats Online

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:17:40 +0000

While I can't prohibit anyone from advertising nor buying cats online, I do take an active part in cautioning against it. Therefore, I was very happy to read that Kijiji.com, eBay's free, local, family-friendly classifieds site had partnered with Petfinder.com to add more than 200,000 Petfinder adoptable pets to the Kijiji site.

Kijiji is already allied with HSUS, the Humane Society of the U. S., and as part of that alliance, has devoted an entire page to the subject of Responsible Pet Ownership and Adoption. It has an in-depth section with guidelines for responsible pet purchase or re-homing, but doesn't stop there. It then covers Preparing your Home For a New Arrival, Dog Care Essentials, Cat Care Essentials, and Other Pet Care, all information provided by HSUS.

I urge anyone who has the slightest inkling of buying a cat or dog online to go first to Kijiji.com. Way to go, Kiji. You rock!

Kijiji Gives the Scoop on Buying Cats Online originally appeared on About.com Cats on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 18:17:40.

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Adopt a Senior Cat in November

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:15:42 +0000

November is the month we set aside in the U.S. to give thanks for our blessings. Most of my readers count their cats among their blessings, and in many cases, senior cats. While there is something very special about raising and caring for a young cat through its senior years, it takes a really special person to intentionally seek out and adopt a senior cat and give him or her a loving, caring home for the remainder of its life. These cats sometimes come with medical conditions requiring regular extra care and expensive medications. They are often not as playful or cute as younger cats and kittens. However, they simply can't be matched for devotion, unconditional love, and warm companionship.

Senior cats are perfect companions for older people who find it difficult to keep up with the antics of kittens. Older cats as housemates help fill in the void of loneliness and provide measurable benefits in lowering blood pressure and stress relief. Some shelters wisely acknowledge this fact with special programs matching senior pets to senior people. KittyKind, a Participating Organization of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, is holding a Seniors for Seniors special adoption event the weekend of November 14th, 2009, in its adoption center at Petco, located at 17th Street and Broadway, Union Square, NYC.

For many years, the ASPCA and Petfinder.com have worked together to sponsor November is the Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Although I can find nothing on either site for this program in 2009, it is early yet.

It's not too early to open up your home and heart to a senior cat, though. If you are looking for the kinds of benefits only a senior cat can offer, head toward your local shelter in the near future, and by Thanksgiving, both you and your new "old" cat will both have cause to rejoice. Pictured here is Jezabel, who spent over 20 years bringing love and companionship to Kay.
_{Photo © ktdiehard (Kay)}

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Adopt a Senior Cat in November originally appeared on About.com Cats on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 18:15:42.

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Cat Picture of the Week: U of the Vowels

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:57:00 +0000

U is O's beloved sister. These two beautiful cats were born feral, and scheduled to die in a kill "shelter" when they were about 3 1/2 months old. A wonderful foster agency rescued them, and more than 30 other kittens and cats, and transported them from North Carolina to Massachusetts. Some of the kittens didn't make it, because that is very stressful for a kitten.

But O and U did. They were very sick when I got them, and small. At nearly 5 months, U was less than 4 1/2 pounds. Her brother almost didn't make it, which would have been awful, because these are the most bonded, loving cats. . . read the rest of U's story
© E of the Vowels

Both feline Vowels are also featured in the 2009 Black Cats Picture Gallery, as are all the Cats of the Week for October. You may submit cat photos by following the Photo Submission Guidelines. Sorry, but I will be unable to publish your photos without all the requested information.

Cat Picture of the Week: U of the Vowels originally appeared on About.com Cats on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 12:57:00.

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