Mindofyourcat

The Netflix documentary “Inside the Mind of the Cat” entertains, educates, and positively delights the viewer. It focuses on “what makes cats special,” says...

You hit snooze one too many times on your alarm, so you grab an apple to eat in the car as breakfast, figuring you...

Q: My cat was once feral, but she has lived with me for 14 years now. Recently, she did not return after I let...

It can break your heart when your senior cat wanders the house, meowing pitifully and clearly lost. We know cats can suffer from senile...

Q: We have an 8-month-old male RagaMuffin kitten that suckles on either my skin or clothing. If I remove him, he suckles on blankets...

Cats are well-known for their ability to land on their feet almost all the time. This talent has fascinated people for centuries, and as...

Can’t find your cat? Check all the little nooks and crannies in your house, from the U-bend under the sink to the top of...

A study published in the Royal Society Open Science found that domestic cats have smaller cranial volume, aka brain size, than their ancestors. The researchers...

When we hear someone tell us our senior cat “looks really good for her age,” we might want to give some thought to that...

If you actually catch the cat in the act of inappropriately urinating or defecating, you can say No! However, a cat may not use the box because he is not feeling well. Medical causes should always be explored. For example, a bladder infection could cause him to connect its pain with using the litter box. Arthritis may prevent easy entry to the box.

Most of us recognize obvious signs of stress and anxiety in our cats - taking up residence under the bed being high on the list - but we may not be aware of more subtle signs, such as lowering the head and eyes, lifting a paw and staring at middle distance. These are among nearly 40 behaviors that may require intervention, according to the American Animal Hospital Associations 2015 Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines, published this past summer. Behavioral problems affect more dogs and cats than any other medical condition and are one of the most common causes of euthanasia, relinquishment or abandonment of pets, the association says, adding that their management is essential in veterinary practice. It urges a culture of kindness that avoids the use of forced restraint.

Cats and kids: A match made in heaven? Perhaps. Some cats are shy or skittish, and prefer to retreat to a safe spot, watching noisy, busy children from a distance. Some cats would not hesitate to swat or bite in order to keep a child from coming too close. Yet, except when distracted by a sunbeam, or by some birds fluttering outside the window, most house cats stay close to the family circle. Social cats seek the laps of adults and children alike, enjoying a gentle stroke now and again. Indeed, petting a cat can be a calming experience. Still, many children want more from their companion. Sometimes, that translates into cats being dressed up in dolls clothing. Okay, there are worse experiences than walking around in a baby bonnet. But being dressed up would probably not qualify for environmental enrichment in the mind of a cat. Consider that it is possible to offer pleasure to kids and cats alike. After all, both kids and cats love to play. Yet playtime generally sends them in different directions. Why not invent some games that both can enjoy?