Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

I didn’t have a boring life before adopting Olga, but she has entertained me for almost eight years. When studying cat behavior, we often connect their actions to instincts. Their aversion to water is attributed to their desert origins, and their fondness for playing with toys is related to their predatory instincts, but is their sense of humor instinctual?

Comedic Cats

I think most felines have a sense of humor, and it’s hard to argue that they don’t appreciate physical comedy. Olga doesn’t laugh or smile, but she gets a kick out of knocking my glasses off the shelf above my bed, especially if they land on my face. She attacks inanimate objects when she’s hungry and wants attention, but sometimes, she does it for entertainment.

The other day, she was sitting in my lap, half asleep, while I was working on the computer. She lazily stretched her left paw out and pushed a pen off my desk. Irritating me isn’t instinctual, but Olga is amused by it and enjoys laughing (internally) at my expense. She wouldn’t be the same cat without her sense of humor, and I probably wouldn’t enjoy living with her.

Slamming Doors

Erratic behavior isn’t unusual in cats, but until I adopted Olga, I didn’t think opening and slamming doors was a source of feline entertainment. She loves squeezing her body into the narrow gap between the door and wall, standing on her hind legs, and pushing the door closed with her front legs. She can grab the door handle and pull the door open, but she struggles sometimes.

She screams if she cannot open the door and increases the volume if I ignore her. When I open the door, she howls at me and runs away. Most cats don’t like trapping themselves in a room. After the first experience, they’re unlikely to repeat it, but Olga is a goofball. She’ll wait a few minutes before running into another room and slamming the door.

If I play a joke on her and lock the door, she’ll scratch the carpet by the door and whine. After I ignore her, she’ll start ramming the door. She’s a little cat but sounds like a bull or a battering ram. Although her cries sound urgent, and she looks upset when the door opens, she doesn’t relent and finds another door to attack. Her behavior isn’t instinctual, and she wouldn’t repeatedly slam the door if it didn’t amuse her.

Sources of Amusement

As young kittens, cats are entertained by their siblings and parents and eventually by their owners. If they live in a shelter, they lose their sense of humor unless they’re adopted. Feral cats probably aren’t as concerned about entertainment since they’re often in pain from injuries and disease, but at least those living in colonies can bask in their communal despair.

Cats like Olga are lucky they can experience joy and humor. We are the primary source of comedy for our cats, and without us, they would revert to being humorless predators.

The post Do Cats Have a Sense of Humor: Olga’s Comedic Ways by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

Disclaimer: The images used in this article are to demonstrate scruff-holding. The cats in the images have been handled carefully, spoiled rottenly, and given ridiculous amounts of chicken for agreeing to pose for me. They were given space and opportunity to leave whenever they had enough, and their welfare remains my top priority.

It wasn’t all that long ago that it was commonplace to see cats held, restrained, even carried by the scruff of their neck. We would see mother cats carrying their kittens in this way, so how could it possibly be harmful? And for the most part, our cats didn’t seem to mind…or did they?

In recent years, animal behaviorists have come to realize that rather than making them feel calm and relaxed, picking a cat up by the scruff may actually trigger feelings of fear, stress, and helplessness, resulting in the floppy reaction we often see. Sure, this might make them easier to handle, but does that make it okay?

There are a number of movements and organizations aiming to minimize or stop the use of the scruff hold in veterinary practice, and while this is an admirable goal, it is not always realistic or practical. Some animal workers have vowed to never scruff a cat, no matter the circumstances, which I often found challenging in practice. Even the International Cat Care organization acknowledges that using a scruff hold to restrain a cat is sometimes necessary, as described in their Scruff Free Campaign Pledge:

“International Cat Care’s ‘scruff-free’ campaign is focused on avoiding the routine use of scruffing as a means of restraining a cat, which unfortunately is still practised all too frequently. Our campaign refers specifically to the routine use of scruffing when handling cats. There may be exceptional circumstances in which there is a real and imminent risk of injury to a person where very brief heavy restraint, such as scruffing, may be necessary. However, these occasions should be rare and exceptional, never ever routine.”

What I often found frustrating was when I needed to quickly and safely perform a procedure, give an injection, or examine an injury on a fractious, aggressive cat, and my supporting staff would flat-out refuse to use a scruff hold. This would inevitably result in a more protracted, stressful, and dangerous approach to a problem that could have easily been addressed by briefly applying an effective form of restraint.

So although it may not be popular, I strongly believe that, in certain circumstances, a scruff hold is the best and safest form of restraint.

The Lesser of Two Evils

I don’t necessarily believe that ‘the ends justifies the means’ when it comes to scruffing a cat, but I do believe that it is sometimes the ‘lesser of two evils’. Yes, scruffing a cat may be an unpleasant cause of stress, discomfort, and helplessness for a cat, but if the alternative means:

• Getting the cat back in the following day after being given a sedative at home
• Spending more time trying to towel wrap an already-distressed feline
• Risking injury to cat or human
• Using sedatives or general anesthetic for something that should take less than 30 seconds
• Costing an owner hundreds of dollars to remove a thorn, remove a loose claw, or remove a small patch of matted fur
• I will choose the option that causes the least amount of distress to all involved. And sometimes, that means I scruff.

When Is Scruffing Okay?

Rather than have a blanket rule of ‘no scruffing, ever’, I would much rather have some guidelines laid out so that people know when scruffing is and isn’t appropriate, and how to safely scruff hold a cat. So that’s what I’m going to do.

How To Correctly Scruff Hold A Cat

If you are not confident and swift in your approach, you are unlikely to be successful, so make sure that you are ready to hold your cat firmly, and ensure you have your next step already planned.

If possible, start by rubbing the cat’s scruff. This avoids startling them by just grabbing the scruff, and allows you to assess whether or not they are particularly sensitive in this area. If the cat resents being touched over their neck or shoulders, you should not attempt the scruff hold, as this will only make the situation worse.

For the scruff-hold to be effective, you need to have a firm grip of a handful of the scruff – do not pinch the skin, or just pick up a tiny section. This will be more painful, and will not give you any control.

There are three main positions you will then need:

The carry: Never lift a cat by the scruff without placing a hand under their chest or behind their bottom. If you can do so safely, cradle them against your body to give them some extra security.

The hold: This is when you are restraining the cat to allow someone to do or check something quickly or safely. Keep the head out of the way of the other person, and use your other hand to secure the front legs at the level of the elbow.

The medicate: Ideally, this should also be a 2-person maneuver, with the second person keeping the front legs from getting involved. Use your non-dominant hand to hold the scruff and tilt the head back as far as possible. This will make it easier to pull the lower jaw down and administer the medication.

This method of medicating a cat should only be used for short-term or one-off treatments. If your cat is on long-term medication, scruffing them on a daily basis will only reinforce their resentment towards being medicated, so you need to find an alternative method.

Sometimes I Scruff

Not everyone will agree with me, and that’s okay. But I do think that sometimes we can cause more stress and harm by avoiding the scruff hold, when briefly using this unpopular technique is actually the best method.

I absolutely agree that it should not be used often, or to carry out lengthy procedures, but I do think that it is more practical and realistic to say avoid using the scruff hold, rather than saying never.

The post Sometimes I Scruff: Thoughts On a Controversial But Practical Technique by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.

On a recent hike/scramble up one of the tallest regional mountains, it was not exactly what I expected. But the first rule of the mountains is to expect the unexpected. And, to be fair, it was generally a wonderful experience.

It’s a great day, out in nature, with the elements. Being outdoors has been shown to improve blood pressure, mood, and generally be stress relieving. What’s not to enjoy?

But, too, the mountains can be unforgiving. Even a short hike can turn deadly. A lack of preparation can turn a day outing into something that quickly becomes all too real if weather conditions change, or a member of the group injures themselves. And that’s just for humans. But what about pets? Where do they fit into this equation?

Adventure Calls!

As more and more people are jumping onto social trends and getting their adventure cats and adventure pups outside, in many ways, it is to be applauded. The bond that is created, not to mention the exercise, are all very positive items that arise from getting your pet out and about. As a vet, I also have a secret evil pleasure in seeing the stigma of cats being indoor-only pets, or homebodies, absolutely vanquished.

But this recent hike really got me thinking: what are the limits on what we should ask pets to endure? In particular, this hike involved technical scrambles, white-out conditions, winds 50+ knots, and near-freezing temperatures. And did I mention the rain? The absolutely bone-chilling, strength-zapping, wind-driven rain? And if it is all for a social media image, or worse, pure ignorance of the severity of the conditions, why take the risk? We all love our pets, but surely that also means knowing when to say no, as well.

Know Your Limits

To put it bluntly, about 30 minutes from the summit, we encountered multiple adults and children literally yelling, sobbing, or both, that they could not go on. The conditions had taken their toll. These people were done, defeated. They knew their limits, and they were drawing the line in the sand. Yet, the number of animals I saw, going up the mountain, seemed unreal. Certainly a small number seemed to be enjoying the rather blustery outing. But most dogs looked wary, and uncertain, if not outright terrorized.

I get it, we love them. They are family. But just as not all people should be hiking tough climbs, nor should all animals. Pad cuts, dehydration, injuries- were these people prepared for first aid for their pets? Many barely had waterproofs and themselves were soaked through, looked miserable, and were ardently complaining. If that had been the prep they’d done for themselves, you had to wonder: what failsafes did they have for their pet?

Avoid the Risk

Just as we do a mountain risk assessment with ourselves, I strongly advocate that we need to do the same for our pets before we head outdoors. Even the risk they present to others—I saw more than one dog attempting to get away from the winds that could possibly blow them over the edge, and almost trip a number of hikers with their leash in the process. The decision to take these pets up a mountain in inclement weather was now putting multiple lives at risk.

In my opinion, very few, if any, pets (feline or otherwise) belong on a mountain. Instagram may make it look lovely, but the reality can be harsh, and both human and animal lives can be put at risk.

The post Please Don’t Force Your Cat Up a Mountain by Dr. Lauren Demos DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Cats find creative ways to get our attention, but some of their techniques are more cunning than others. Although dogs are more famous for their begging skills than cats, Olga has developed a system that encourages me to feed her earlier than her usual dinnertime. It was unnecessary before I worked at home, and over the years, she’s modified her methods.

Most pet cats, even the affectionate ones, are somewhat manipulative. Their instincts influence their behavior, but their intelligence helps them discover new ways to irritate their owners. In the wild, they don’t need to beg or depend on humans for food or entertainment.

They may devise a plan to steal a rodent’s carcass from a littermate, but most felines, except those in feral colonies, are solitary hunters. Wild cats don’t need to be manipulative, but housecats have learned to prey on our emotions.

They haven’t been domesticated for as long as dogs, but the recently discovered grave of an 8-month-old cat buried next to their owner in Cyprus suggests cats have been annoying humans for nearly 10,000 years. Like her ancestors, Olga knows how to influence people and makes Dale Carnegie proud.

If she wants to sit on the windowsill, she starts by grinding her claws on the wood molding. Then, she stands on her hind legs and hits the blinds. If I don’t open the blinds and let her sit down, she escalates her attack by jamming a paw into the blind and slamming it back and forth into the wall. If I shout or tell her to stop, she backs off momentarily before resuming the mischief.

She knows I have a breaking point, and even if I chase her away from the window, she won’t relent until I pull the blinds up. Her begging routine is subtle at first, but as her hunger grows, she becomes more impatient and bolder. Her normal dinnertime is around 5 PM, but the subtle begging begins around 2:30. She wakes up from her 10th nap of the day, sits near the entrance to my office, and stares at me.

After an hour of ignoring her, she’ll move closer and sit on the windowsill since it’s to the left of my computer screen. I can see her glare in my peripheral vision when I’m typing, but I’ve learned to ignore her and avoid eye contact. She’ll grunt and stand up if I return her stare, and eventually, she’ll get tired of waiting and find other ways to grab my attention. She’ll run into the bathroom, jump in the bathtub, and howl.

I didn’t think cats were intelligent enough to understand the principles of acoustics, but Olga knows that her voice is amplified when she screams in the tub. Next, she jumps on the sink and knocks my toothpaste or contact lens case on the floor. I respect her for trying the gentle approach before resorting to violence, and while I don’t like to be manipulated by humans, I don’t mind when Olga is devious.

The post Are Cats Manipulative? Olga’s Manipulation Skills by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years; at least as far back as 300 B.C.E. when Chinese emperor Huangdi wrote the text known as “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine”, but possibly even earlier.¹ The 5300-year-old mummified remains of a man found in the Italian Alps showed tattoo markings and corresponding bone impressions that archaeologists believe may have served as markers for needle treatments, meaning that acupuncture is not just ancient, it may also have multiple origins.

Until recently, most Traditional Chinese Medicine practices were treated with derision by the modern medical community, seen as old fashioned and outdated. So what has changed?

Apart from the thousands, if not millions, of anecdotal success stories, a greater understanding of how acupuncture actually works has allowed this non-invasive technique to find a place in mainstream medicine.

The Basics of Acupuncture

In the briefest possible terms, traditional acupuncture uses ‘dry’ needles placed at certain locations along meridians to manipulate and unblock ‘Qi’ (pronounced ‘chee’) – the body’s life force energy. These meridians correlate to different parts of the body, though not every point along that meridian affects those body parts.

We now appreciate that meridians may actually link back to tissue differentiation during embryonic development, while Qi could be another way of describing nerve pathways, tissue planes, and energy transfer. From here, it becomes easier for dedicated scientists to appreciate how this ‘alternative’ therapy might actually work.

Embracing Holistic Treatment for Pets

After attending a course on veterinary acupuncture, I became obsessed with using this technique in practice. Although the majority of my acupuncture patients were of the canine variety, feline acupuncture arguably has a greater potential for success. Cats have been found to respond more strongly to acupuncture, and there have been promising results in its use in managing feline asthma.

I have been using acupuncture at home on my Labrador, Bailey, whose joints are feeling their age. Recently, I decided to introduce Zazzles, our timid tortie, to this treatment and I was astounded with the results! When we rescued Zazzy eight years ago, we became aware of a poorly healed fracture on one of her hind legs. She has coped with this very well, but recently she has started to limp, so we decided it was time to get started on a pain management plan. Being quite a nervous girl, I wasn’t sure how she would respond to this unusual form of stimulation, but far from being afraid, she actually rolled over purring!

It’s a little too soon to know how well the treatments are going to work, but at least I know that there’ll be no problem repeating them!

Don’t Try This At Home!

Obviously, acupuncture isn’t something you can do at home on your own pets, but you can try some acupressure and massage.

As the name suggests, acupressure involves using targeted pressure over specific areas, such as those used for acupuncture, to achieve similar results without a needle. It is a technique that just about anyone can use to help relieve tension, provide pain relief, and soothe their pets at home. In addition, if you have a cat that suffers with respiratory issues like asthma, there are a couple of pressure points you may like to try:

Massaging a cat is pretty straightforward, with very little difference between it and regular stroking. The main thing to be aware of is applying firmer pressure either side of the spine with the palm of your hand, as well as focusing on the neck and shoulders. The only trouble you’re likely to run into is when you try to stop!

If you think your cat may benefit from acupuncture, talk to your vet. Not all vets and veterinary practices will offer this service, so you may need to look around. Rest assured that, far from being a stressful experience, most cats find acupuncture to be quite relaxing!

The post Acupuncture for Zazzles: Dr Karyn & Holistic Treatments for Cats by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.

Have you ever gone to your own doctor, and they’ve said quite simply “I don’t know what is wrong with you.” Well, it happens with vets, too. Obviously, no one wants this to happen, but it can for a variety of reasons: the issue is outside a person’s area of expertise, the disease can mimic a variety of complicated issues and be difficult if not downright impossible to workup without specific advanced testing modalities, or sometimes, simply, the answers and right tests have not yet been invented.

In these situations in human medicine, you might elect to seek a second opinion from another doctor, or you might even be referred to a specialist. Did you know that this is also possible in veterinary medicine?

What Is a Referral?

In cats, as a vet, I’ve seen referrals and second opinions throughout my career. I’ve also sent patients of mine for a referral, or second opinions. So what are they? Does your cat need one? And how do you make the visit as successful as possible? Read on.

A primary veterinarian or general practitioner sees routine appointments, as well as appointments for ill cats. They give vaccines, prescribe medications, and do various surgeries. However, for patients who have multiple illnesses, or severe illnesses, or lots of clinical signs and no diagnosis, then they might get referred to another vet. If that vet is a specialist, then this is generally called a referral. This specialist can then proceed to do necessary diagnostics to try and identify the underlying issue and how to best treat it. Referrals must come through your own vet.

What is a Second Opinion?

Second opinions, however, can be seen by any vet—specialist or not. And they can be self-referred, meaning your vet does not need to direct the booking and appointment process. Second opinions in some countries mean that the new vet seeing your cat cannot do diagnostics or provide treatment- they simply review the case, and then give you feedback that you can take to your own vet.

Tips For Getting Referrals and Second Opinions

If you are thinking of getting a referral, or a second opinion, here’s how you can best go about booking this process:

• Ensure that your cat’s complete medical records, including imaging, lab results, and the medical history, have been sent in toto to the new vet. And, ensure this is done well in advance because often there is little or no time set aside on the day of the appointment to review what can sometimes be a very complicated history! In an ideal world, a week prior would be perfect, in my humble opinion!
• I’ll tell you a secret: honestly, we don’t mind if you want a referral or a second opinion! Many people I have worked with are afraid of retaliation from their vet, some to the point that they won’t even ask for their cat’s medical records to be sent beforehand. This only undermines the entire process, as it’s very difficult for me to give accurate information with only partial facts. And, I promise, we want the best for your cat, just like you do. If that means going to another clinic or vet, by all means, do so!
• Call the referral clinic a day or two ahead of your appointment. This confirms the appointment time and also acts as a reminder to them to obtain any further information from you or your vet that they might need beforehand.
• Arrive early for the referral or second opinion appointment. Often there is extra paperwork to fill out, or possible questions. And, the vet might even be able to see you early, if their schedule allows. Too, traveling to a new place can often mean new traffic hazards and other things that may slow down your travel. Better to arrive early, rather than late, and cut into your appointment time.

So next time you take your cat to your vet, and if the answer ever comes back with “I don’t know what is going on here” then know that you have options. Those can be scary words, but there is also light at the end of a second tunnel- it just might take a bit of extra time to get there!

The post Referrals & Second Opinions For Your Cat: Everything to Know by Dr. Lauren Demos DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Ignoring your cat is often necessary when working, talking on the phone, or making dinner. Typically, most cats aren’t fond of what they consider neglect and are not shy about expressing frustration. Several years ago, my Siamese cat learned how to turn off my Xbox when my online sessions lasted too long. Since the digital power button was overly sensitive, he only had to touch it with his nose to end my fun and regain his status as the center of attention.

Olga’s Patience

Patience isn’t usually one of Olga’s virtues, but she’s uncharacteristically calm when I’m on the phone. She’ll sit nearby and stare if my conversation drags on, but she doesn’t jump in my lap or destroy the furniture. She looks irritated if I get off the phone and get another call, but she’s much calmer than when I ignore her while working on the computer.

However, she’s a little bothered by video calls and doesn’t think human voices should emanate from a computer screen. If she is sitting by my chair when a video chat starts, she’ll run off to the living room. I think the sound quality is okay, but the pitch or timbre bothers Olga, and she reacts similarly to YouTube videos. Of course, I understand her reaction to online videos since some have horrendous soundtracks.

Loud Talkers

The sound of a muffled voice from my phone may also irritate her since she doesn’t sit too close when waiting for the call to end. Most of my friends and some of my relatives are high-decibel conversationalists, and I’m sure with her enhanced hearing, she’s happy to keep her distance.

I’m surprised she understands that I’m talking to someone else, but like most healthy cats and dogs, she can hear the other person’s voice and knows my attention is focused on them. I don’t understand why she’s so considerate and avoids bothering me when I talk for too long. If I’m doing anything else, like reading or writing, her patience is thin.

Low-Decibel Meows

My Siamese cat wasn’t as accommodating when I ignored him, and after enduring his screaming, I eventually ended my phone calls. Even if Olga cried the entire time I was on the phone, she wouldn’t be as disruptive as my Siamese. She doesn’t have a powerful meow and only cries constantly when confined to the carrier.

As I mentioned in one of my other articles, I didn’t think Olga could make a sound when she was a kitten. She used to open her mouth to cry, especially when I was prepping food in the kitchen, but no sound would come out. Eventually, she made a little noise, but the sounds were more like “squeaks” than “meows.”

I wondered if she was crossbred with a large rodent until I heard her scream for the first time. I’m glad she’s not a silent cat, and I’m also happy she’s so polite when I’m on the phone, even though it seems out of character for her.

The post How Cats React When You’re on the Phone: Olga Is Patient by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

This is an argument that has been going on for as long as people started keeping pets. Pet owners being asked to choose a side, pick a species, identify themselves as either cat or dog people. Although there are many out there in my position, lucky enough to share their lives with both cats and dogs, people who claim not to have a favorite are being as honest as parents who say they don’t have a favorite child – come on!

You might assume from the title that I have declared myself a ‘cat person’, but you might want to wait until you’ve read Part Two: Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats before you decide. And no, I’m not going to tell you which I am – spoilers!

Instead, I present to you a (relatively) unbiased argument for the affirmative team on why cats are better than dogs.

Cats Are Better Than Dogs Because…

• They are quite self-sufficient and relatively low-maintenance
• They are practically born toilet-trained
• They don’t need to be taken out for walks
• They don’t bark
• They don’t jump up on your guests
• They don’t hump your furniture, your leg, your guest’s leg…
• They can be left alone for long periods of time (even overnight if you have planned and prepared appropriately)
• Their purring releases endorphins in them and us
• They are emotionally intelligent
• They keep themselves clean
• They have evolved a form of communication (the meow) specifically for humans
• Kittens are undeniably, unquestionably, adorable

Of course, living with cats isn’t all hugs and rainbows, and there are some negatives (or perceived negatives) to life in the company of felinekind. For instance:

• They can somehow make us feel judged, unwanted, or surplus to requirement
• They leave hair on EVERYTHING
• They leave claw marks on clothing, carpets, and furniture
• They bring us gifts we don’t want (eg. dead – or almost dead – mice, birds, rats etc)
• They can be aloof – affection is usually on their terms only
• They sometimes express stress, irritation, territorialism, or dissatisfaction by peeing on things
• They vomit
• They are often most active between 12am and 3am
• It can be challenging to keep indoor cats in, and outdoor cats out
• They can cause conflict between neighbors if they use their garden as a litter box

Who Identifies As A Cat Person?

I have long believed that even people without pets can be categorized as cat or dog people, though there will always be exceptions and outliers. Broadly speaking, a cat person tends to be someone who:

• is more introvert than extrovert
• is wary of strangers
• doesn’t make friends easily, but makes them for life
• prefers the comforts of home
• likes to re-read favorite books and re-watch favorite movies and tv shows
• is cautious, reflective, and considers things carefully
• prefers a warm spot in a cool home, rather than central heating
• will turn on a fan or air-conditioner to be able to stay under a blanket
• likes (and may even have) dogs, but doesn’t have a close affinity with them
• prefers yoga, pilates, or meditation over cardio workouts
• loves cats

Am I a Cat Person or a Dog Person?

I would have to say that most, if not all, of the traits above describe me quite well, but with five cats and five dogs, am I so easily categorized? You’ll just have to check out Part Two.

The post The Great Debate Part One: Why Cats Are Better Than Dogs by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.

Most cats like catnip, or valerian root. Or feather toys. Or something remotely cat-like.

But leave it to Tiller to have a unique trait.

I only found out, as I have recently been forced to uptake a certain daily number of cups of tea, due to a distinct lack of summer weather, and an attempt to stave off the cold. Since I prefer black tea cold, and with lemon, I had to find a substitute. Enter: green tea. Some say it looks and tastes like grass, but grass is healthy, right?

So, little did I expect when Tiller took a sudden interest in me one evening while I was sitting on the couch, I got all excited for some cuddles, and maybe even some lap time.

How wrong was I?

Instead, she walked over to my cup of tea, and calmly, deliberate, stuck her foot in it. Then pulled it out. And drank the tea from her foot. Repeatedly. I figured this was a fluke. But every time since, if a cup of green tea comes out, so does Tiller. To what end?

Green tea, I was curious, what about it would attract cats?

Perhaps green tea is similar in some way to catnip. I can’t find any scientific research to support this, and certainly some suggest that the caffeine in green tea isn’t ideal for cats.  Or perhaps green tea simply tastes good to Tiller. After all, cats, just like humans, have individual taste preferences. Many of my feline patients refuse tuna but love poultry foods, and vice versa.

In the end, I’ll probably never know why Tiller loves a good cup of tea. Maybe deep down, she’s part British Shorthair? Or maybe I just chalk it up to her being… a cat.

The post Tiller’s Cup of Tea: It’s Not Everyone’s (Just Mine) by Dr. Lauren Demos DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Several of my friends and colleagues have multiple pets, and I’ve often considered adopting a cat or dog to entertain Olga and keep her company when I’m away. When I was growing up, my family had a Cocker Spaniel, and I had a Parakeet, but that was the only time I cared for more than one pet. Honestly, my parents did most of the hard work, like taking them to veterinary appointments, since I was a lazy, selfish kid.

Cat Lover or Cat Hoarder?

I respect pet owners who love and properly care for numerous animals, and I’ve known a few “crazy cat ladies” with healthy, energetic felines, but I’ve also encountered cat hoarders. I won’t discuss the psychological aspects of hoarding, but regarding cat hoarding, the number of cats is less important than their health or the condition of their environment.

The Pungent Residence

In college, I visited an old friend who had recently moved into a small house with two roommates and at least 20 cats. I didn’t see any felines when I walked in, but the ammonia odor was overpowering and made me gag. When I walked into the kitchen, the smell of feces became more prominent, and it seemed to be battling the urine aroma for dominance.

The kitchen was a horror show I cannot erase from my memory. Most of the cats were sitting near the overflowing litter box; some were on the tables, chairs, and counters, and one was resting on the refrigerator. The kitchen floors and counters were covered with excrement, and I had to leave because the odor was so pungent. It’s an extreme example of cat hoarding, but I don’t think it’s uncommon.

Transitioning from Pet Parent to Hoarder

Most cat owners have good intentions when they want to rescue as many cats as possible; they don’t aspire to be hoarders. They start with a few cats, but they frequently check online ads from rescue centers and shelters, and they eventually give in and adopt more. It’s hard for them to ignore the photos they receive daily of needy, adorable cats.

However, as they add more cats, caring for them and giving them attention becomes more challenging. Like people, some cats aren’t happy to share their homes with strangers, and fighting is more likely to occur when several animals share a small territory.

Unsustainable Environment

Vaccinating 20 cats and ensuring they visit the vet every year is expensive, and most cat hoarders, at least the ones I’ve met, avoid the vet unless one of their cats is severely injured. They may be better off in a crowded house than in a tiny cage at a shelter, but they won’t live as long or be as happy or healthy as other pet cats in more favorable environments.

Most states don’t limit the number of cats you can own as long as you can care for them, and they’re not a threat to public safety. Cities are more restrictive, but hoarders are rarely fined unless they have dozens of felines and the neighbors notify the authorities.

I’m okay with caring for one cat, but I like visiting friends with several cats and dogs. It’s nice to have a colony of animals following you and begging for your attention. It’s only a problem when the home becomes unsanitary and smells like a landfill.

The post Cat Hoarding: How It Starts by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.